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06/15/2020 12:00 AMThe Westbrook softball team had a roster of several talented but inexperienced players alongside some steady veterans in 2019. The Knights won four games last season thanks largely to the contributions of its upper-class athletes. This year, Head Coach Caitlin Eichler’s squad had a sizable senior class and a solid chance to reach the Shoreline Conference and Class S State Tournaments. Unfortunately, the Knights didn’t see the campaign bear out due the COVID-19 pandemic causing the cancellation of all spring sports in 2020.
Coach Eichler had big plans for Westbrook this season with seven seniors and a solid contingent of players who cut their varsity teeth last year. Eichler knew that this senior group would have forged a path to success for the younger athletes.
“We were hopeful to make it to the postseason this year. The coaching staff was looking forward to this season with such a skilled and competitive senior class,” said Coach Eichler. “We had high hopes that this group would have led the team throughout the season, culminating in a postseason appearance.”
Even though Westbrook’s seniors couldn’t compete this year, the Knights still held a Senior Day on May 22. Coach Eichler, Assistant Coach Joe Campbell, each senior, and parents all observed social distancing guidelines. Every senior was allotted a section of Westbrook outfield fence, which featured their respective numbers outlined in cups, a poster, and a bouquet of flowers. After that, the entire team took part in a virtual video conference that included a slide show of the seniors, speeches delivered by a variety of teammates, and well wishes from the coaching staff.
“It was important to have a ceremony like this so that we could recognize these seniors,” Coach Eichler said. “I cannot thank them enough for their dedication to this team over the past three years. Each of these seniors brought something unique to our program. This was a wonderful way to bond as a team from afar and celebrate the seniors’ hard work.”
The seniors honored included shortstop Alivia Ciarcia, infielder Chloe Bugden, utility player Sophie Bugden, second baseman Olivia Hartzell, catcher Madison Marshall, pitcher Callie Newberg, and third baseman Melissa Solis. Assistant Coach Campbell coached the majority of this group in middle school prior to joining the Knights’ coaching staff, and he has seen all seven develop as players and leaders during his tenure.
“As the head coach at the middle school, these seniors were in 7th grade when I took over there, and even before we hit the field, I was impressed by their enthusiasm,” Campbell said. “After I rejoined them last year in high school, I was excited to see that same work ethic and attitude had strengthened. It has been a privilege to see them grow to be the strong, intelligent young women they have become.”
Coach Eichler believed that Westbrook would have shown similar strengths in 2020 that it had the year prior. The Knights were able to pile up hit after hit, and they had quality fielders all over the diamond.
“I think that our seniors would have been strong defensively and offensively,” Eichler said. “Last year, we really strung together runs when we needed to. Our biggest challenge was pitching after losing Callie to injury.”
Without Newberg pitching, freshmen Mackenzie Marshall and Gabby Cordon ended up logging major innings on the mound last year. Unfortunately, Newberg got injured during the basketball season this winter, and so Marshall and Cordon would be returning to the circle a little more seasoned.
“Our sophomore pitchers had a year under their belts, and we were counting on them. I know that they were working in the offseason and would come back stronger,” said Eichler. “We also had a freshmen pitcher, Caroline Benzi, and we were looking to see what she could do this season. Between the three of them, we thought we had a good mix of pitching talent.”
Expected to lead the offensive charge was Madison Marshall, who supplied a .404 batting average along with 10 RBI and 16 runs scored last year. Marshall was also a very good defensive catcher who could cut down base runners.
“Madison remained dangerous at the plate for us,” Eichler said. “She was also a threat to anyone trying to steal a base with her strong arm, and she was always a pitcher’s best friend with her excellent framing of pitches.”
The double-play tandem of Ciarcia and Hartzell were slated to play major parts in the Knights’ success this season. Ciarcia batted .327 last year and added 15 runs scored.
“Alivia always played solid defense at shortstop, and she consistently had key hits for us,” Eichler said. “Olivia covered a ton of ground at second base, and she really perfected her underhand toss to second base and her drop step.”
Coach Eichler anticipated that Solis would be taking over duties at third base this year. There was no doubt in Eichler’s mind that Solis could hold her own at the hot corner.
“Throughout her career at Westbrook, Melissa continued to grow, and she turned into a solid third baseman,” said Eichler. “She has always been a competitive player, and I knew she would give everything she had in all aspects of the game.”
Twin sisters Chloe and Sophie Bugden were expected to provided added depth anywhere necessary. Both of them have shown that they are flexible in the positions that they can play, and Coach Eichler planned for them to slot into the lineup often.
“Chloe blossomed into a solid infielder, and she would often hit the ball to the outfield when called up to the plate,” Eichler said. “Sophie remained a solid utility player for us. She could always be counted on to play strong defense in the infield or outfield.”
Even though Newberg wouldn’t be toeing the rubber this season, she was planning to be a constant presence in the dugout, just like last year. Coach Eichler felt grateful to Newberg for supporting the team and mentoring the Knights’ young pitchers.
“Callie shined on the mound over the course of her career,” said Eichler. “While Callie was injured and unable to pitch these past two seasons, she remained an encouraging and supportive teammate.”
The Knights had a strong contingent of seniors this year, but only three juniors on the roster in Kayla Arevalo, Kiley McCarthy, and Emma Parkhurst. Last season, Parkhurst had the most consistent playing time as the team’s first baseman, and would have reprised that role this season.
“Emma has been dependable for us at first base,” said Eichler. “I know she worked really hard in the offseason. We were looking forward to seeing her play and what she could do up at bat this year.”
Looking ahead to next year, the Knights several younger players ready to assert themselves as bigger parts of the team including sophomores Sam Nunez, Nicole Valiante, Deja Hunter, and Juliana Gerena. The loss of the 2020 season is a disappointment, but Coach Eichler is excited to see what’s next for the program.
“We had a few weeks where we could coach our players virtually this season. We had offense day, defense day, days we went over rules, days of mindfulness, situational days, and we did fitness Fridays,” said Eichler. “Our hope is the girls continue to access those resources in the offseason and practice. We posted a lot of different drills the girls can complete independently and others they could do with a sibling or a parent. We’re hoping freshmen keep building.”