“She’s not playing like a freshman because she’s playing with confidence,” Fitzpatrick said. “She can break down things and talk to people and she can relate to them because she’s been through it,” Fitzpatrick said of Drews.Įven when Francia is struggling at the plate, Fitzpatrick is proud of her work ethic. In that sense, she’s been phenomenal.”įifth-year infielder Kelby Drews and freshman infielder Krista Francia have also been bright spots for the Black Bears this season.ĭrews was recently sidelined with an injury but is like another coach for UMaine during her time in the dugout. “Last year she went at it like, ‘This is my last year to play.’ This year she’s saying, ‘This is the bonus year, so let’s have fun and just do the best I can.’ She’s not putting stress on her last spring trip or last forever, she still knows she has to go out and compete for the team. “COVID messed it up for a lot of people but she’s using it and putting it in perspective,” Fitzpatrick said. Since then she has tried to schedule big games in the spring for the Black Bears to get used to the crowds and large stadiums seen at nationally ranked teams.įitzpatrick has given McGouldrick, a fifth-year player, a challenge for the season that the coach wouldn’t reveal but said her senior is playing well and is a leader by example.
Fitzpatrick, who was an assistant coach on the team, saw that the squad wasn’t ready for the experience. In 2016, the Black Bears made the NCAA Regional after winning the America East tournament and played Georgia in the first round. The Black Bears lost all three games against the nationally ranked softball powerhouses but wanted to get experience playing in big games.
It’s amazing that we can come out and really compete with teams that have been able to practice outside and have real practices and not just taking .”Īt the OSU/Tulsa Invitational, UMaine played twice against No.
“I don’t want to use it as an excuse and I know the girls are using it as fuel. “I think what we’ve been doing is really good given our circumstances,” Fitzpatrick said. The following week the Black Bears earned three wins in the Chattanooga Challenge before competing in the OSU/Tulsa Invitational. UMaine hasn’t had too many “normal” practices but earned a win in its first game of the season against George Washington on Feb. While the Mahaney Dome has been under construction since the collapse, the team has rotated between practicing in the New Balance Field House, baseball’s batting pavilion and even at Slugger’s, a training facility in Brewer. “I am just super proud of how our team has been resilient this year. “I think we’re doing pretty well,” UMaine softball coach Jordan Fitzpatrick said.
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