So far, so good for Saugus’ new softball coach

SAUGUS – Saugus High softball coach Bobbie Finocchio spent the first week of practice getting to know her team and so far, she’s happy with what she’s seeing.The Sachems finished the regular season with a 13-8 record. They lost to Northeastern Conference foe Marblehead in the first round of the tournament. The good news for Finocchio is she has plenty of talent back including junior Ashlee Patterson, who did the bulk of the pitching to finish with 12-7 record. Patterson actually started her junior year at St. Mary’s, but she transferred back to Saugus High”Patterson looks great,” Finocchio said. “She has an array of pitches ? She’s pretty quick and she’s consistent.”As a sophomore, Patterson went 16 games without issuing a walk and she had strikeout numbers in the double digits in 10 games. Her ERA was slightly ove .100. She was a Northeastern Conference All Star.Finocchio said Patterson will be her starting pitcher this year, but she’ll also have sophomore Katelyn DeSimone available.Finocchio will also have plenty of experience at shortstop with senior Lauren Garchinsky. In addition to her prowess in the field, Garchinsky also swings the bat well.”She’s very fluid (in the field). She wants the ball and she has a strong arm. She’s also a great hitter. She kills the ball.”Senior outfielder Cassie LaBella is also back as are senior twins Kristen Garrity and Kelly Garrity. Kristen played in the outfield last year and Kelly is a catcher. The returning contingent also includes senior Haley Erickson, who played some outfield and second base last year. Finocchio said she could be at third this year.”She’s really quick with great instincts. She’s not afraid of the ball and she’s a great hitter,” Finocchio said.Junior Kelsey Sturgis plays outfield, first and can serve as the designated hitter and Chelsea Cole, a junior, can also step in a variety of positions, Finocchio said. Junior second baseman Elizabeth Shaw is also back and will probably be in the infield again this year, Finocchio said.Rounding out the varsity are senior Francesca Vozzella, a senior outfielder; Ashley DiChiara, who will catch DeSimone and freshman Jackie Doherty. Doherty, a potential infielder, is the only freshman on varsity.Finocchio had 39 girls come out for the team. She’ll have a freshman and junior varsity team as well as varsity.”I’m actually really impressed with them,” Finocchio said.Although she was still looking for a varsity assistant as of early this week (the one she had planned on had to back out at the last minute,” Finocchio does have her junior varsity and freshman coaches in place. Christine Brown will coach the junior varsity and Steve Donahug, the freshmen. Both are teachers at Saugus High.