BY GARY HAWKINS

Staff Writer

Maranacook Community School softball coach Terry Hickey may be the most skeptical 7-1 coach in the state.

"It's nice to be 7-0 but are we any good?," Hickey asked earlier this week. "I have no clue."

Hickey's team is young, starting two freshmen and several sophomores. And he points out the Black Bears didn't face a couple of top pitchers when they played Rockland and Maine Central Institute due to injury. They lost their first game, 4-0 to Oak Hill on Wednesday

Still, they're among the top teams in the Class B division of the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference. Sophomore Sarah Maxwell handles most of the pitching with help from senior Delaney Evans.

"Maxwell throws a little harder," Hickey said. "Evans at this point is a little smarter pitcher."

Hitting has been Maranacook's strong suit, led by Maxwell and Evans who bat third and fourth, respectively, in the order.

"Evans has been a terrific stick," Hickey said. "She's just clubbing the ball. If we set the table, one of those two knocks them in."

Katie Dore leads off while senior Kelli Rich bats second and is a good bunter and slash hitter, Hickey said. Dore, who plays third base, is one of two freshmen in the starting lineup along with catcher Heidi Shaw.

"They play like seasoned veterans," Hickey said.

Shortstop Brynna Bedard and second baseman Amanda LaPorte are being pushed by Lyndsay Cochrane, who is coming off an injury. All three are sophomores.

"We've got a nice little second base-shortstop swing," Hickey said.

Hickey thought this team might be a year or two away from challenging the better teams in Class B, but the way the Black Bears are playing, who knows?

"We have more athletes than we've had in the past," he said.

• • •

Monmouth is rolling along at 7-1 despite the loss of senior Brittney Hilton who has a back injury.

"We're taking it week by week," Monmouth coach Rachel Bernier said of Hilton's injury. "She's only pitched one game."

Senior Jill Armstrong, who hadn't pitched since her freshman year, has stepped into the position and played well.

"She's around the plate and the defense is making plays behind her," Bernier said.

Armstrong also has a couple of big strikeout games, fanning 11 against Lisbon and 10 this week against Livermore Falls.

The lineup is dominated by several three-sport athletes, including six seniors. Leadoff hitter and shortstop Jenn Lola is among the best players in the Mountain Valley Conference while center fielder Katie Woodman has made three diving catches this season.

Junior Lisa Drake bats third for the Mustangs while senior Moe Beaulieu, who missed last season because of knee surgery, plays first. Junior Bethany Neal returns as catcher.

The Mustangs suffered their only loss of the season to defending state champion Georges Valley, but should be among the playoff contenders in Western Maine Class C.

"We basically need to get kids healthy and play as a unit," Bernier said. "They're an excellent bunch of young ladies. They work hard and give me all they can give me."

• • •

Oak Hill knocked off previously unbeaten Maranacook on Wednesday and could well be unbeaten itself if not for a 3-2, seventh-inning loss to Medomak Valley.

Like many of the teams in KVAC Class B, the Raiders are a mixture of youth and experience. Oak Hill coach Julie Boucher started three freshmen -- Becca Belaire, Taylor Fillion and Lauren Hall -- in Wednesday's 4-0 win. Senior Brittany Wood, who ran her pitching record to 5-0, allowed four hits, struck out two and didn't walk a batter.

"She's not the fastest pitcher in the league, but she's got great control and hits her spots pretty well," Boucher said. "She's very mature and confident on the mound."

The Raiders practice bunting every day, but as Boucher points out "I'm pleased with their bats right now so I'm just letting them hit."

Sophomore leadoff hitter Sarah Albert sets the tone for the offense while juniors Cady Rodrigue and Becca Roberts have been driving in a lot of runs. Senior Deidra Dubuc has played well at shortstop while seniors Natalie Caron and Julia Dyer split time at second. Stacy Light, another senior, plays center field.

Boucher said her team faces two crucial tests next week, at home against Erskine and on the road in Winslow. This year's team, she said, has the ability to go deep into the playoffs.

"The team chemistry this year is just amazing," Boucher said. "Everybody's focused."

Gary Hawkins -- 621-5638

ghawkins@centralmaine.com