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It sounds worse than it may be.
The Woodstock Academy Centaurs softball team has only two starters returning from the 2016-17 season.
But looking deeper, there will be experience on the field this spring for the Centaurs
“We lost some great leadership,” said Centaurs coach Jason Gerum.
Gone are first baseman Jordyn Staveski, catcher Clara Sarantopolous and third baseman Mackenzie Stewart.
But Sarantopolous split time with Julianna Nuttall behind the plate and other players saw time at first which means the Centaurs lost only one position player, Staveski.
“We lost great kids but we return kids who were taking turns at those positions, ”said Gerum.
That includes junior Heather Converse and senior Casidhe Hoyt.
“We’re returning a solid defensive team,” Gerum said.
Seniors Haley Armstrong, Ciri Miller and Naomi Rivard, the starting outfield, return.
Junior Hannah Burgess will anchor the infield at shortstop. Hoyt will move from second base, where she started last season, to third.
Freshmen Mackenzie Levielle and Megan Preston will likely see time at second as well as in the pitching circle. Junior Hannah Chubbuck is equally comfortable at first, second or in the outfield with Converse available for first and second base duty.
The loss of Staveski does leave a hole in the lineup, but Gerum is confident the Centaurs can generate offense.
“We can score runs,” Gerum said. “Burgess gets on bases and finds a way to get around and in- it’s automatic. We have some good contact hitters in Rivard, Miller and Armstrong. They are four-year varsity players who bring a load of experience with the bats and Hoyt is a two-year varsity player. They have all played a lot of innings in their career.”
Sophomore Maia Corrado will also figure in the offense.
“She has a huge bat. It’s probably my fault, I figured that out a little too late last year. She might have had the biggest bat in the lineup as a freshman and as long as she adjusts to the level of the (Eastern Connecticut Conference), which she will, I think we will be adding a huge bat this year,” Gerum said.
Of course, success in softball is predicated on how good the people in the pitching circle are and Gerum will have choices.
Junior Hannah Wotton is the returning starter, but Leveille and Preston will likely factor in.
“Hannah took her lumps and got us eight wins last year. We will be a little youthful there, but I will take three kids who know how to throw any day of the week,” Gerum said.
But no matter how much experience and potential the Centaurs have, they still play in one of the most competitive leagues in the state in the sport in the ECC and improving on 8-14 from last year will likely happen but won’t be easy.
“All that means is that we will be competitive. I can’t say any more than that. Looking at the teams I’ve had (this is Gerum’s seventh season at Woodstock Academy, 16th overall coaching), this should be one of the most competitive we have had, but this is the ECC. In a great year, you could still be middle of the road, it’s that tough. I’m excited because I feel we have a chance to be in a lot of games and play some good softball,” Gerum said.
The goal is to get to double-digits in wins, qualify for both the ECC and state tournaments, and then, win a tournament game, something the Centaurs have not done in quite some time.
Schedule:
Saturday, March 31: at Waterford 11 a.m.
Tues., April 3: at Bacon Academy 4 p.m.
Wednesday, April 4: at Plainfield 4 p.m.
Friday, April 6: East Lyme 4:15 p.m.
Monday, April 9: Tourtellotte 4 p.m.
Thursday, April 12: at Montville 4 p.m.
Friday, April 13: Killingly 4 p.m.
Monday, April 16: Waterford 4 p.m.
Wed., April 18: at Stonington 11 a.m.
Tuesday, April 24: at Fitch 4 p.m.
Thursday, April 26: at Ledyard 4 p.m.
Saturday, April 28 Bristol Central 11 a.m.
Tuesday, May 1: at Killingly 4 p.m.
Mon., May 7: Bacon Academy 4 p.m.
Wednesday, May 9: Stonington 4 p.m.
Fri., May 11: at Valley Regional 4:30 p.m.
Monday, May 14: Montville 4 p.m.
Wednesday, May 16: NFA 4 p.m.
Fri., May 18: at Had.-Killingw. 4:30 p.m.
Monday, May 21: Hale Ray 4:30 p.m.
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director
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