By Allison Goldsmith
I&M Sports Editor
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Photo by Nicole Harnishfeger
The Whalers focused on infield drills during the first week of spring season practices. Junior starting pitcher Kelly Reid got some practice from the circle, while Shantel Hanniford saw some work at shortstop. |
The mantra is a simple one for the varsity softball team: pitching and defense wins championships. The Whalers, who have seen plenty of success in the tournament over the last three seasons, return to the diamond this spring with another solid defense and dominating pitching in the hopes of returning to the Division IV South finals.
The varsity squad finished the season 19-4 last year and lost the championship game in a 1-0 thriller to recent playoff rival Cohasset. Despite graduating eight seniors, including six starters, the Whalers have plenty of experience and determination returning to the field.
“We have had a taste of getting to the final game. We would love to get there and maybe win that one this time,” head coach Chris Maury said. “Success breeds success. Our girls’ programs have had success at so many different levels that they have a level of self-esteem and self-confidence that really helps them.”
The Whalers are scheduled to travel to Mashpee for scrimmages this weekend before the regular season opens April 2 at Chatham. Nantucket will look to get everybody on the field as they play six shortened games over two days. The Whalers will face Merrimack, Bourne and Concord, N.H. Saturday and Sunapee, N.H., Blackstone Valley and Grafton Sunday.
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