BIDDEFORD — Every team has a top player, a leader on the field, getting the job done.
For the University of New England softball team, that player is Ashley Gott.
A senior catcher and tri-captain, Gott enters the 2012 season not only as its best player, but also one of the top players in program history. Gott had a season for the ages last year, hitting .450, with a home run and 29 RBIs. She was also a threat on the basepaths with 13 steals in 14 tries.
Gott set the school record for hits in a single season with 68, and her 39 runs scored were the third most in a single season. By the end of this season, Gott should be the all-time hits leader, passing current record-holder Katie Morin, who collected 168 hits between 2005-08. Gott currently has 157 hits.
Gott said she is pushing herself for a better 2012 output.
“I do feel pressure, but I try not to think about it,” Gott said. “I obviously want to do better than I did last year. I just try to think about that goal instead of trying to live up to last year.”
She’s well on her way. After 12 games, Gott is hitting .410 with five RBIs.
She doesn’t have to do all the work herself. The Nor’easters have power in their lineup, with Erin Grover ”“ a former Biddeford star ”“ who has a .519 slugging percentage and a .333 batting average. UNE also has solid hitting from Gabrielle LaRoche, who is hitting .400, and Ali Stanley, who is hitting .417.
There’s not much turnover on the roster from last season offensively, as UNE head coach Dan Letellier alluded to earlier in the year.
“It’s kind of the old adage that, we’re not rebuilding, we’re reloading,” Letellier said.
In an interesting move, Gott, normally a middle-of-the-order hitter, was the leadoff hitter during the Nor’easters’ double-header sweep of Gordon College on Tuesday. The move was successful, as Gott was 3 for 7 at the plate between both contests.
“We’re just seeing what works for the season,” Gott said. “(Letellier) I’m sure will move it around again at some point, but the way things are going right now, I think they’re working really well.”
There has been one team that’s been the thorn in both Gott and Letellier’s side during their time at UNE, and that’s Endicott. The Gulls have won nine consecutive Commonwealth Coast Conference championships. Endicott struggled during its trip to Florida, going 4-5, but is about to begin CCC play this week, including a double-header against the Nor’easters on Sunday in Biddeford.
The matchup will provide an early season test for UNE, which is 8-4 so far.
“I think it might be a little bit to our advantage,” Gott said. “Just coming back from Florida and we’re doing really well. I think it will be a good game on Sunday.”
If the Nor’easters are going to continue their success this season, it will begin ”“ and end ”“ behind the plate with Gott’s production.
— Contact Dave Dyer at 282-1535, Ext. 323 or follow on Twitter @Dave_Dyer.
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