Newbury hopes Spartan softball team can move on after tough tourney loss

The St. Mary’s High softball players will start the season with the memory of a heartbreaking loss to North Reading in the Division 3 North final fresh in their minds.The Spartans saw their tournament run end on two controversial umpiring calls that and a throwing error in the eighth inning that opened the door for the tying and winning runs to score.St. Mary’s coach Colleen Newbury is hoping the bad taste that experience left will help motivate the team to get back to the North final.”I’d like to think we have the talent to get back to the North final. It’s a goal we have because of last year,” Newbury said.If the Spartans get there, they’ll be doing it without three key players from last year’s team. Pitcher Lesley Zaya, first baseman Michelle McDermott and third baseman Marisa McKinnon have all graduated, leaving Newbury a few holes to fill.The good news for Newbury is she has eight players returning with considerable experience including senior pitcher Katelynn Fanning, who alternated starts with Zaya. When she’s not pitching, Fanning can play the outfield.The only other returning senior with some experience is Anna Jackson, a first baseman/outfield. The junior class includes Kristen Mondello, who started at shortstop, and Jenna Fraher, who played third base as a freshman, but spent much of last season trying to come back from foot surgery.Sophomore Kristina Burri started at second base last year and is back this year. The Spartans also have some experience behind the plate with sophomore Erin McAndrews. Maria Nazarro, also a 10th grader, is back in the outfield. Brittany Hanscom, a backup catcher who can also play in the infield and outfield, is also back.The pitching contingent, in addition to Fanning, includes sophomore Sam Kiley. Kiley was on junior varsity last year. Newbury said she also has a couple of freshmen, Brianna Holmes and Vanessa LaFauci, who can pitch.Newbury will have plenty of talent to pick from with 68 players, 30 of them freshmen, turning out for tryouts earlier this week. That group will be spread out among the four teams (junior high, freshmen, junior varsity and varsity).Newbury said she’s encouraged after the first week and not just because of the talent.”So far it seems like there’s a lot more team unity with the kids who are back,” she said. “There’s a lot more of a positive attitude and a lot of encouragement going on.”Newbury’s coaching staff includes her assistant, Rachel Henry, Don Harp, Michele Bruno, junior varsity coach Frank Sarro and Jim McHugh, the freshman coach.