LEWISTON – By this point last year, the season was just about over for Meagan Marcoux.

After only a half dozen games, the Lewiston first baseman developed an illness that curtailed the rest of her season. She tried to return to the lineup, but a throat infection pretty much took her junior season.

“I was able to play five or six games,” said the Lewiston senior. “Then I was out for at least three weeks. I came back for about two games, and then I had a relapse and was out for the rest of the season. I wasn’t able to get back on track and focus on what I needed to do.”

So with one more year left as a Blue Devil, she’s hoping to make the most of this last opportunity.

“Softball is my favorite sport and to not be able to play it like last year was horrible,” she said. “This feels awesome. I’ve been getting a lot of good hits since the season started. I was able to play a couple of games last year, and I wasn’t able to hit. So to come up with some big hits is good.”

Marcoux played hockey during the winter and got herself mentally focused for a return to the diamond. When practices began in April, she was ready to go.

“I couldn’t wait for it,” she said. “Pitchers and catchers came in, and I couldn’t even wait for that. I don’t pitch all that much, but to get my hands on a ball was awesome.”

The last six weeks of the season last year, all Marcoux could do was watch and her absence didn’t help the Blue Devils. By the end of last season, the Blue Devils were struggling. They’d lost Marcoux and had other players out of the lineup. That left the squad shorthanded and relying on some junior varsity players to help fill the void. Lewiston won a prelim game but lost to Noble, the eventual Western A champs, in the quarterfinal. With Marcoux back, the Blue Devils lineup is solid and a potential playoff threat.

“Meagan’s a good athlete,” said Lewiston coach Fred Royer. “We missed her last year. When she disciplines herself and stays focused, she has a good glove and she hits well from the left side and does a great job.”

With the graduation of pitcher Shannon Godin, Lewiston moved second baseman Amanda Michaud to the mound. That allowed all-star Katie Morin to stay at short, even though she’ll see some pitching time as well. Marcoux has been solid at second. With veterans Kim Bechard at third and Ali Coleman behind the plate, Lewiston has an experienced and quality infield. Jess Nadeau has stepped in at first.

Marcoux is also making a dent offensively. She never got the chance to get her hitting untracked last year, but she’s generating the offense thus far. She was moved into the clean-up spot last week and had three hits and two RBI against Lawrence. She’s been one of the team’s most consistent producers at the plate so far.

“When I came into this season, I wanted to hit,” she said. “That was my weakness last year. I really didn’t hit that much. I wanted to hit and hit when it counted and get some runs for my team.”

Marcoux is one of six seniors back for Lewiston. Her bat and her versatility has been a key piece to the puzzle as the Blue Devils try to find its place in the KVAC and Eastern A standings.

“Her bat is coming around,” said Royer. “She’s batting high in the lineup right now. She can play first as well as second and pitch. She’s a great addition to the team, and she’s showing some leadership skills as well.”