BY RYAN O’CONNOR
In two games as a program, the Bedford High School softball team is already showing marked improvement.
After collecting one hit in an 8-0 shutout at Portsmouth to open the season April 9, the Lady Bulldogs gave Pembroke Academy all it could handle on Monday, April 14.
Though Bedford still lost its home opener, 6-5, the team put together eight hits and found contributions up and down the lineup.
That’s all coach Mel Keeler can ask of a squad of freshmen and sophomores.
“We’re working on the little things and just perfecting our skills and learning to work together as a team,” she said. “Being so young, and playing at the varsity level against juniors and seniors, I just hope we are competitive and continue to show growth from the beginning of
the season to the end.”
True, many of the girls on the team would be playing JV at most other schools around the state, but any disadvantage now is likely to pay off in the future, said Keeler.
“We have a ton of raw talent, but these girls are seeing better pitching than they would typically see their freshman and sophomore years. So I think now, as young as they are, they’re going to have so much experience by the time they’re juniors and seniors that they’ll be playing above and beyond my expectations,” said the coach. “… By the time they’re competing against girls their own age, they’re going to be just unbelievable.”
Still, it’s too early to determine who the standout players are on the team.
Because the Lady Bulldogs must learn to catch up with faster pitches at the high school level, Keeler said they’re relying primarily on their own pitching and defense to keep them competitive. Among those contributing in 2008 are sophomores Kelly Badger, Alicia Edwards, Rachael Morgan and Jessica Hughes, as well as freshmen Corrine Breton, Caitlyn Cannone, Meghan Delaney, Ada Furciniti, Casey Levis and Genevieve Spagnuolo.
Morgan and Levis lead the pitching staff, and Delaney handles catching duties.
Game notes
Against Pembroke Academy, Badger knocked in two runs, and Furciniti, Hughes and Spagnuolo each notched an RBI.