By Kevin Mills,Staff Writer

AUBURN – Ask Emily Goss about the pressure she faces on the mound and the St. Dom’s hurler will simply shrug it off.

“Sometimes it does put pressure on me,” she says, “but I’m a pitcher.”

The Saints’ senior knows what comes with the territory . So stepping into a more prominent role as a senior isn’t really anything new to her.

“I’ve been pitching for a long, long time,” said Goss. “So there’s been lots of teams, like when I play in summer league, I’m the only pitcher.”

For much of her career with the Saints, Goss has shared pitching duties. Her first two seasons, she had Audrey Pleau and Amanda Collette vying for pitching time. Though she’ll split time with Danielle Jamison this season, Goss is the Saints go-to pitcher.

“Since her freshman year, she has moved up and moved up and moved up,” said St. Dom’s coach Dan Samson. “Now, this is the year that she’s got to shine. She was with us the year we won the states, so she had the taste of what it’s like.”

Thus far, Goss has lived up to her top-billing. The Saints have started the year 7-0. In her five starts, Goss has allowed just two runs and 10 hits while striking out 40 hitters. She’s had two-one hitters, one against the defending Class C state champs from Sacopee and Buckfield, a favorite to contend in Western D. In one game in which she didn’t start, Goss hit a home run and drove in three runs.

“She’s taking control of the team,” said Samson. “She’s actually a team leader. She’s the little mother hen, and she does everything that has to be done.”

The Saints lost three WMC all-stars in Collette, shortstop Sarah Caron and third baseman Erica Dorso. Only Elisha Dorso in the outfield, Laura Robitzek at first, Abby Gilbert at second and catcher Jaime Dorion were regular starters last year. With so many new faces in the lineup, the onus has been on Goss to step forward. She’s a captain this year along with Dorion.

As a sophomore, Goss had to step into a larger role when Collette was injured and Pleau wasn’t pitching. So that season only helped prepare her for this year.

“Her speeds a little bit better,” said Samson. “She has more control. If she gets in trouble, she can actually slow it down and throw the ball for a strike.”

Despite a young team, the Saints were ranked sixth in the latest Western C Heals and should be a team to contend in the tournament. Even with her impressive start, Goss says she still hasn’t hit her stride.

“This year I don’t feel like I’m pitching as well as I have in the past,” said Goss. “I think I’m hitting my targets better but certainly not my speed.”