By Kevin Mills,Staff Writer

POLAND – It can be a luxury or it can be an obstacle – depending on your vantage point.

A coach and a defense might cozy up to the option of having two hurlers at the ready, but from the batter’s box, it can be a bit disconcerting. You may not know which pitcher you’re going to face from game to game or even inning to inning.

With Kelli O’Connor and Brianna Pratte, the Poland Regional softball team already has the decked stacked with a pair of aces.

“It’s going to be interesting to see how their roles play out,” said Poland coach Susan Robbins. “Coming in last year, we were thinking half and half. You have to kind of gauge it game by game. Sometimes one pitcher will hit a stride more than the other, but I think it’s valuable to have two that you can use quite a bit. They all have different roles. One can be a closer. One can be a starter. You can alter games. It really benefits because then you don’t have to depend on one pitcher.”

The Knights lost seven seniors from last year’s club, but Poland kicks off the season Thursday with high hopes. O’Connor and Pratte provide some of that optimism. Both stepped to the mound on the varsity last year and helped guide the Knights to their first playoff win ever.

“At first, it was every other game,” said Robbins. “We just got them going. We didn’t really know what to expect. So we didn’t know who was going to have a better day than the other. We’d throw Kelli one day and Brianna the next day. Then it got broken up towards the end. So we ended up starting Kelli and using Brianna as a closer.”

After getting used to that routine, both pitchers are better suited for this season. Poland also has a third pitcher, Kristen Simpson, who is paving her way at the JV level.

“We’ve grown up together and played softball the entire time,” said Pratte. “So we’re kind of used to it – switching on and off.”

Having another pitcher provides both hurlers an equal. They battle each other for playing time and help each other with advice and support.

“There’s definitely a little competition there,” said O’Connor. “We’re always able to push each other – who’s going to be a little more on that day?”

They also provide a safety net for each other. Both pitchers know they’re not shouldering the load alone.

“There’s not as much pressure,” said O’Connor. “You always know there’s someone there to back you up.”

“I think we’re great at supporting each other,” said Pratte. “We both know how it feels especially when you’re on the mound and the amount of stress you feel.”

Robbins said eight games in Florida the past week may determine the initial rotation. Both can play the outfield as well and both bring offense to an already potentially formidable lineup.

Robbins says the hot hand or a particular opponent could determine things. Considering both pitchers have the advantage of last year, they feel more comfortable this spring.

“I definitely think we’re stronger,” said O’Connor. “I’ve been working all winter. I think it definitely helps to keep it going.”

Pratte plays other sports but has tuned up her pitches as well. She says both feel ready to take their game to a new level.

“We’re maturing,” said Pratte. “I feel like we’re actually becoming real good varsity pitchers.”

Both have added new pitches to their respective repertoires. The question will be who will be able to throw them effectively during games. That’s something the Knights hope hitters will be guessing all year.

“The biggest difference from last year is that both were strictly fastball and changeup pitchers,” said Robbins. “They were trying to hit their spots and doing the changeup. There’s more in the arsenal now but can they actually throw it and actually execute? So that’s what we’re going to find out.”