Bri Warren wasn’t a great softball player as a junior at Messalonskee. As a senior, she was the driving offensive force behind the best team in Eastern A.
Warren, who hit .222 in her junior year, improved that mark to .506 this spring. She also had a .605 on-base percentage, stole 16 bases in 17 attempts, scored 27 runs and drove in 21 in 20 games from the leadoff spot.
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For her outstanding season, Warren has been named the Morning Sentinel Softball Player of the Year. Lawrence shortstop Jess Poulin and Mt. Blue catcher Hannah Allen were also considered.
Messalonskee coach Leo Bouchard said Warren’s confidence this season was the major difference in her improved play. Warren said she also felt more comfortable this year because the team was more cohesive.
“I was more confident because I felt like everyone supported everyone,” she said. “Last year, if you did one thing wrong, you’d get shot down, and it just takes away your confidence. This year, everyone’s so supporting, and it boosts your confidence and makes you do well.”
Bouchard first saw what Warren could do as a offensive sparkplug last summer, when she played for a team coached by her father.
“Her dad put her in the leadoff spot, and put the pressure on her,” Bouchard said. “I watched Bri develop into that leadoff hitter and said, ‘Wow! This is a kid that’s really going to be special.’ “
“I actually loved batting first, because I knew every first pitch was going to be a strike,” Warren said. “You know the pitchers think, ‘You gotta get that first strike in to start off the game.’ So I’d always swing at the first pitch, and that’s where I’d always get my hits.”
After finishing 7-9 and missing out on the playoffs last season, Messalonskee started out 6-0 this season and was averaging 9.5 runs per game. The Eagles lost three of their next four games to fall to 7-3, then didn’t lose again until the state final against Scarborough.
“She really turned it on the second half of the season,” Bouchard said. “After we lost three out of four, Bri took it upon herself — she was going to find a way to get on. Her focus was amazing.
“She hit with authority. There was a triple that went right down the line, almost took the (fielder’s) head off. If she hadn’t ducked, there would have been a funeral the next day.”
At third base, Bouchard said, Warren played with authority all season. Bouchard said he would see Warren dart over and field bunts toward first.
“Nobody can cover the bunt like she does,” he said. “She’s just so fast on her feet that she can cover anything in that infield.”
Warren will be attending the University of Maine this fall. She has not yet talked to the coaching staff about softball, but is hoping she can find a way onto the team.
“I would love to keep playing, to be honest,” Warren said. “I’m going to UMO, and I’m thinking about walking on. I’d love to play. It’s my favorite sport, my passion.”
Bouchard is adamant that Warren can play Division I softball.
“Oh, definitely,” he said. “There’s no question.”
Matt DiFilippo — 861-9243
mdifilippo@centralmaine.com
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