SANFORD — The Sanford softball squad missed the Western Maine Class A playoffs last season and head coach Michael Bailey was hoping his team would take a step forward this season.
The Spartans did just that as they went from a 6-10 team in 2014 to a 14-3 team this season ”“ and a big part of that was standout pitcher Jen Jones.
Jones struck fear in the eyes of each team the Spartans faced as she struck out 225 batters ”“ including at least 10 in each game ”“ this season and that is why she is the Journal Tribune’s Softball Player of the Year.
“Going into this season, we wanted to be a playoff team having missed them last year by one spot,” said Bailey. “I knew Jen was going to be a very important piece to our team, and that in order for us to be successful we needed to come together as a team and the girls did that.”
Bailey believes Jones, who tossed five shutouts and had one perfect game this season, has put the extra time in to become a dominant pitcher.
“What makes Jen a great pitcher is that she has a tremendous work ethic and she is always working to get better,” said Bailey.
Part of that work was striving to become a more versatile pitcher.
“Jen has worked hard at developing multiple pitches as well as being able to place them at different spots,” said Bailey.
One thing that helped Jones reach a new level this season was the great relationship she had with catcher Emily Begin.
“Jen and Emily have a great bond, they worked together for the past two years. They were on the same page and Jen knew that if a pitch was not right where it was intended to go that Emily was going to be able to still get it,” said Bailey.
Not only was Jones a leader on the field, but she grew into a leadership role in the dugout.
“Jen, up until this season, has been a quiet leader on the team. One that goes out and gives great effort every single practice, but would not say to much,” said Bailey. “This season, she started to become more of a vocal leader as well as a leader by example. When Jen speaks, her teammates do definitely listen to her.”
Following a successful 2015 season, Bailey believes Jones and the rest of the returning players are committed to taking the next step in 2016.
“We have started our summer softball season and are working on getting better,” said Bailey. “Our team goal is to make it back to the playoffs. We like to take the season one game at a time and play the best that we can. I am expecting Jen and our team to continue to improve on their skills in the offseason to give their team the best chance of succeeding.”
— Sports Editor Pat McDonald can be reached at pmcdonald@journaltribune.com or at 282-1535 ext. 322. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.
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