ORANGE — While snow has already fallen this week and more snow is projected to cover the grounds, the softball season begins between Thursday when the Mahar Senators face Quabbin Regional High School at 3:30 p.m.
Mahar looks to improve upon its 2017 record of 6-14, and all but two seniors return from last year.
Here are four questions for the Senators as they begin their softball season:
What does sophomore Megan Rich have up her arsenal? — Rich pitched all but three innings last year as a freshman. According to coach Jerry Duguay, Rich has worked all offseason on adding pitches with some movement. Rich has dedicated herself to her craft, which could mean good things to come this season.
What kind of production will we see from Skylar Dodge? — After all the production the Senators got from Dodge last season, hitting .434 with three home runs along with five doubles and 16 RBIs, it’s easy to forget that Dodge was only a freshman. Now a sophomore, Dodge has the ability to cement herself as an elite bat in the middle of the lineup for several years.
Is Jordan Fournier due for a huge step forward? — Fournier, now a sophomore, had a solid freshman season at the plate. She hit .325 with four doubles, one triple and nine runs. She has become part of a sophomore group that will lead the Senators this season and into the future. Fournier seems to have a lot of potential and she could take a step forward this season.
What kind of production will the team get from Alexis Mainville-Schafer? — As a freshman, Mainville-Schafer had four hits in six at-bats on the varsity team. She also had four runs and five RBIs. Mainville-Schafer will see time at catcher and in the outfield. As the only catcher on the roster, Mainville-Schafer should see extended time this season.