GUILFORD--- The Piscataquis community high school (PCHS) Pirates softball team will have a new look for the 2013 season.
"We have a possibility of only two seniors on the team this year and that means more playing time for younger kids, this will only help the program,"PCHS softball coach Tim Richardson said. "It is going to be a fun year with this group of kids, because they love the game and they tasted the playoffs last year and they want more. This is going to be a challenging year as a coach. Moving last years shortstop to the circle, first year catcher, first year first baseman, first year second baseman, new shortstop this year and third base has limited time."
PCHS fell to Calais in the class C quarterfinals last season. They defeated Narraguagus in the preliminary round. The Pirates will need production from the new players to equal the success of 2012.
"This is a young team, We will not have a kid playing in a position with a full years experience (that played every game in one position). So this will be a challenge, but I know these kids have the heart and will give all they got,"Richardson said. "Everyone will be competing for playing time and this will push every kid to improve and earn playing time. We have several key outfielders that we can plug in as needed and where needed. I expect this group of kids to give 100% all the time. This is a great group and I am expecting them to compete and never hang their heads. We will have a lot of laughs."
Senior Jessica Bell will be the leader on the field for the Pirates. Junior Courtney Richardson will be in the circle. Jade Lamb, Alex Speed and Grace Riitano will be among the key players for coach Richardson.
"We need to find a way to keep Jessie Bell off the injured list. We really need her leadership on the field this year. She will be a key player this year as she has been every year in every sport. Courtney Richardson will be our go to pitcher and a big bat in the line up, but she has limited time in the circle. She has all the tools and being a junior, give her this year to take her bumps. Look out her senior year,"Coach Richardson said. "Jade Lamb behind the plate is going to be a key player and again little playing time to this point, she will only improve. Alex Speed in center field, I know any ball that has some air under it Alex will find away to catch it. Also a quiet player I expect to impact us this year is Grace Riitano."
The Pirates are scheduled to host Lee Academy in their season opener on April 12th.
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