New-look Fitchburg State softball team is making strides

Courtesy of Nick Mallard, Sentinel & Enterprise

FITCHBURG -- In her first season at the helm of the Fitchburg State University softball program, head coach Merry MacDonald is preaching patience.

Wins will come, as will losses. But on a team that doesn't have a single senior, the former Endicott College softball standout -- who was named the 2009 Commonwealth Coast Conference player of the year -- is pleased with the way the Falcons have bought into her back-to-basics philosophy.

"They've all adapted to the changes I've looked to make. They've bought in, which can be a hard thing to do," said MacDonald, who spent the past two seasons as an assistant at Springfield College. "There's going to be more dedication to the game now. I'm looking to teach the game, the strategy, things that everyone might not have grasped in the past, so we'll all know where I'm looking to go with the team.

"Communication between me and the players is huge, so everyone knows their role on the team and what is expected of them."

While the team was finally outdoors Thursday after spending the past two weeks practicing inside, the Falcons already have 10 games under their belts. Fitchburg State went 3-7 in its annual Florida trip to start the season, which MacDonald believes is a sign that the team is at least pointed in the right direction.

"In years past, this team hasn't won a game or maybe won one game in Florida," she said. "So to go 3-7 against some teams that had had plenty of time outside when our first time out was our first game, that was a step in the right direction. I think the second half of that trip saw us get everything together and coming together."

Pitcher Brittany Whiting, outfielder Amanda Whitelaw, and Fitchburg natives Marissa Binnall, Ashley Forgues and Katelyn Fitzgerald are the only players back from last year's 14-24 team. Whitelaw and Whiting are sophomores, while the other three returning players are juniors.

"We've got a young team. It's almost a totally different team (from last season)," MacDonald said. "We've got some transfers, some freshmen. ... The returners and juniors have stepped up to lead the team. With me being new, it has kind of worked out perfectly. There's a new staff, new philosophy and a lot of new players."

Among those new players is junior pitcher Kerry Alcott, who spent two years at Westfield State. The former Groton-Dunstable star has split time in the circle this season with Whiting, and is 2-3 on the season.

"They've been doing a good job and they get along well," MacDonald said of her pitching tandem. "They both understand their roles on the team and how they're different pitchers. Having the two of them will help out in the long run."

As for the Falcon bats, they're beginning to come around despite hitting just .237 as a team. Forgues leads FSU with a .355 average and Alcott (.333), Whitelaw (.310) and junior outfielder Emily Pomer (.333) are all up over .300, as well. Fitzgerald -- a St. Bernard's alumna -- has a team-high six RBIs, while Forgues has five and former Leominster High standout Marissa Gemma is one of several players with four runs driven in.

"Usually at this point, the pitching is at its peak and the batters haven't seen a lot of live pitching. By the end of the year, it's usually the other way," MacDonald said. "But we've had some good at-bats this season and there's a good approach at the plate and we'll be successful. We're a quick team. Not a lot of power hitters, but these girls put the ball in play and make things happen that way."

That speed has been evident, with the Falcons stealing 24 bases in 10 games, paced by Binnall's 10 swiped bags.

With a pair of games scheduled against MCLA Friday afternoon, the Falcons will be back in live action after spending two weeks waiting. MacDonald has no doubt her team will be ready to go.

"I think we're ready to play," she said. "This team wants to get out there and show what it can do."