By Kevin Mills,Staff Writer

BUCKFIELD – There might be a look of familiarity to the Buckfield softball team this season.

In reality, though, the Bucks might be a whole different club than what started the season a year ago.

“I think this year, already I’ve seen a big improvement with our heads-up play,” said Buckfield coach Ken Farrington. “There’s more focus on the game itself. We started with a young team last year, and I had everybody playing new positions that they hadn’t played. With that experience, we should be stronger this year.”

Coming off a Class D state championship in 2003, the Bucks had just four regulars back last spring, three of them being sophomores. With a new coach, the program was looking at a bit of a transition season. Still, Buckfield went 12-3 in the regular season and was the top-ranked team in Western D.

The Bucks remarkable season didn’t have a long shelf-life in the tournament, though. The Bucks lost to North Yarmouth Academy in the first game.

“I think we’re going to be a stronger team,” said junior first baseman Shayna Shackford. “Last year, we were planning on going all the way. I think losing to NYA made us realize that we can’t take things for granted. So this year, I think we’re going to work even harder.”

Farrington says his team is on a mission. The Bucks have eight returning players who started last year including Danielle Labbe, Tiffany Dunn, Desiree Brackett, Shackford, Lindsay Neal, Shannon Ridge, Dee Lavoie and Amanda Dodge.

Though the bats were consistent last year, the Bucks’ youth showed in the field. The Bucks expect those defensive mistakes to lessen this year.

“Some of the freshmen coming up are really going to help us this year,” said Dunn, a junior catcher. “We have a strong hitting team, and we’re strong on offense and defense.”

Along with Brackett, Kasey Farrington will help with the pitching chores when not starting at third. Outfielder Alyssa Henderson has also stepped into the starting lineup.

“I’ve got a bunch of good ballplayers,” said Farrington. “These girls, they know how to play ball. They know what it takes to succeed.”

Dunn, Shackford and Brackett were all part of that state title team two years ago.

“I think we’ve bonded more,” said Dunn. “Everybody knows everybody. The coaches aren’t new this year. We pretty much know what we’re doing.”

With so much experience returning and some hard lessons learned from last year, the sky is the limit as far as the Bucks are concerned.

“We’re going for the gold,” said Dunn. “This year we’re hoping to get the gold. That’s what our mission is.”