BANGOR – After a forgettable season marred by forfeits due to the use of an ineligible player, the Husson College softball program begins a new era.

First-year coach Charlie Hamel has plenty of enthusiasm and optimism thanks to a 17-member freshman class.

“We have tremendous group of first-year players. I’m very excited. The numbers are terrific,” said the 57-year-old Hamel, who has 24 players on his roster.

Three of those freshmen are promising pitchers Alicia LaGrange of Belgrade and Fairfield’s Lawrence High School, Searsport’s Taralee Webster, and Melissa Porter of Fremont, N.H.

“Pitching will be a strength. They are already throwing in the high 40s [miles an hour],” said Hamel.

Husson sophomore first baseman Sara Agouab said they didn’t have any bonafide pitchers last season. They do this season.

“Our pitchers preferred to play other positions last year,” said Agouab.

Hamel also likes his team’s offensive potential.

“I’ve been very impressed with our plate discipline and our bunting fundamentals. We should be very strong offensively,” said Hamel, who also considers himself an “aggressive coach” who will try to put pressure on opposing defenses.

“We’ve got a lot of strong hitters,” said junior left fielder Wendy Butler of Hampden. “We have a lot of talent this year.”

Hamel expects his offensive catalysts to be junior center fielder Nicole Munroe, freshman shortstop Carolyn McAvoy, Agouab, and freshman first baseman-OF Stacey Wright.

Hamel said his defense “needs work, especially in the middle of the infield.”

But he said he has a “lot of speed in the outfield.”

Butler and Munroe will be joined by right fielder Kelly McHatten, a sophomore.

Joining Agouab and McAvoy in the infield will be freshman second baseman Dee Maxim and freshman third baseman Carmen Ballard.

Freshmen Rachel Wing and Tricia Porter will handle the chores behind the plate.

Butler and Agouab said the attitude on the team has been excellent and Hamel has been a positive influence with his enthusiam and valuable practice drills.

“He’s awesome,” said Agouab. “He works us.”

“We’re putting the past behind us and we’re looking ahead to building the program,” said Butler. “Hopefully, we’ll get a new field next year.”

Husson opens against the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford on Thursday to start its weeklong spring trip to Florida.