Former Hornets coach now with Hurricanes

ADAMS -- New coach, new team, new attitude, new start. And are the members of the Hoosac Valley girls' softball team excited.

Hoping to rebound from last year's disappointing record of 6-14 with a squad new to boot, new head coach Mike Ameen has his work cut out for him. However, with Ameen's deep background in coaching softball and his positive outlook for his team, the teams' successes are closer than some might think.

"It's a bit of a challenge to get a new team all at once," Ameen said. "I take a lot of time going through practices, so the girls know the expectations. I didn't really know the girls or the coaches. But I know already that this team is talented enough to play in the postseason and to play to win and play hard."

Ameen takes over the position after a four-year stint with McCann. With the Hornets, Ameen had great success, making it to the postseason last year and rebuilding the program. This past offseason, however, he was offered a position at Southern Vermont College in hopes to start and build the softball program there as well as gain college-coaching experience. He accepted the position, but when the opportunity opened at Hoosac Valley, he was

driven to apply.

"I love high school softball," Ameen said. "Hoosac had an opening, and I was impressed with the level of competition. Hoosac also has a tremendous reputation of being supportive of athletics. (Athletic Director) Dan Carrity was fabulous, and I was impressed with their concept of athletics as a whole."

Ameen's positive energy is carrying over into practices and the players are taking notice. Sophomore Chloe McGrath, a returning pitcher, is impressed with the way things are going so far.

"We have a direction and goals," McGrath said. "We're working harder; preparing more. We like this -- it's positive".

This positive energy is something Ameen hopes will keep his players focused and in every game. And even though he has a young squad, their talent has impressed him, and he is excited he'll have them for several years to come.

Some of these young players include freshman pitcher Amanda Meczywor, sophomore catcher Tori Hunt and juniors Jess Robinson (shortstop) and Heather Pelltier (center field). With the exception of Meczywor, all four are returning and have game experience from last year. Rounding out the lineup will be senior Susan Torchia.

In addition to Ameen going back to the basics and teaching fundamentals, he wants his group of 13 to be aggressive and play as a team from the start.

"I want to be in every game in the fifth inning," Ameen said. "I'm an aggressive coach, and I like to take chances. I believe in the little goals, but once you're on the field, you're there to win. I teach communication and defense. Everyone is a captain; it's a team sport."

Team play will be a concept Ameen will encourage within the program and thus far, it's working.

"Everyone has a leadership role, and we're talking more -- calling out plays," Hunt said. "I think it will help us to play as a team".

The only other struggle Ameen may have this season is not within his own squad but against the school's rival, Drury. Ameen's daughter, Hadley, is a star pitcher who played a big role in last year's Western Massachusetts championship team. The competition may be intense when the teams meet on April 19th, but it will certainly add to a more exciting meeting.

Ameen said of the situation, "We both play to win. I look at it as a sense of pride that she's in that position as a great pitcher. She's worked so hard, but it will be tough."

Regardless of the struggles Ameen and his young squad may encounter, he remains upbeat and optimistic about the team's possibilities and the future of his program. And with his squad fully behind him, there is determination and hope in the air, for this season and the future of the program.