At this rate, Monmouth Academy might finish its regular season by fall.

While other teams have played most of their regularly scheduled games during the first few weeks of the season, the Mustangs have been playing at a snail’s pace.

Monday, Monmouth played just its third game of the year. That was after getting one game in the previous week and one game during vacation week.

“I think it’s been frustrating for the kids,” said Monmouth coach Rachel Bernier. “Plus the fact that we had a preseason where we were basically in the building, and then we were only able to play one game during vacation, it’s hard to keep the energy going.”

Monmouth got in two preseason scrimmages but had to get into the third week of the season to surpass that number. A game with Mt. Abram was postponed. The first meeting with Jay was pushed back a day and the second game with the Tigers was rained out last week.

“You work on consistency, and you work on strategy and you can’t keep it going,” said Bernier.

As difficult as it has been, the Mustangs now face the flip side of their dilemma. Now they have the bulk of their regular season schedule during the next two weeks.

Starting with Friday’s showdown with Winthrop, the Mustangs have six games in nine days, five of those next week. Looking over her upcoming schedule, she can only plot out a practice day or two.

“Unfortunately I’m not looking at any rest time for our kids,” said Bernier. “You can’t talk about strategy in between. It’s tough.”

Considering the MVC appears so balanced this year, there are few easy games. In their next six games, the Mustangs face Winthrop, Jay and Dirigo, all contenders in Western C. That’s after playing against a fine Telstar club Wednesday.

Bernier does have a veteran team with 10 seniors. Led by seasoned pitcher Emily Gauthier, third baseman Katie Stinson, catcher Amy Parsons, shortstop Bekah Bubier and outfielder Katie Brown, many of the Mustangs have been in this situation before.

Still, when fatigue sets in, anything can happen.

“You take each game as it happens and you encourage the kids to do the best they can,” said Bernier. “You emphasize the positive and if you don’t make the play, you move on. I’ve got some neat kids. If I keep working on that, they’ll come through.”

Battle of unbeaten

Leavitt and Messalonskee have rescheduled their only regular season contest for a second time. The pivotal game is now set for Saturday at 10 a.m.

Rain has washed out the game twice in the last week.

Saturday’s game makes for a point-worth clash. Both teams enter the game unbeaten and are considered to be among the favorites in Eastern A. Leavitt is ranked No. 1 in the latest Eastern A standings while Messalonskee is second.

“We see Messalonskee once,” said Leavitt coach Pete Higgins. “So we’ve got one chance at the Heal Points for them and they with us. It’s a big situation for both teams.”

The two teams feature two of the league’s best pitchers in Leavitt’s Sam St. Hilaire and Messlaonskee’s Clarice Pepper. Both teams have solid defensive clubs and ample playoff experience.

Above average effort

Edward Little is finding itself in a spot many teams face at this point in the season. After Monday’s loss to Lewiston, the Red Eddies were 3-3 with some point-worthy teams ahead.

Though EL doesn’t have the most experienced or talent-laden team it has had, Coach Gene Keene is trying to convince his club that above-average desire can make up for it.

“We’re an average team,” said Keene. “We’ve got a couple of kids that have better-than-average talent, but overall I feel we’re an average team. But, I feel an average team can also win games but you have to have a little bit more aggressiveness, a little bit more desire and it has to be a burning desire to be successful. If kids have that and they’re average players, you have a chance to beat good teams.”

They’ve lost twice to a very good Lewiston club. They’ve beaten some of the teams they should – Cheverus and Massabesic – and beaten a formidable Biddeford club. Shortstop Krista Wotherspoon is the most experienced player on the club but players like first baseman Jamie Morrison, catcher Alyson Keene and outfielders Christie Sasser and Cathy McKinney have all contributed at one time or another. Pitcher Brittany Short has been steady and continues to improve.

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