By Kevin Mills,Staff Writer

AUGUSTA – Monica White had set her sights on the Miss Maine Softball Award long ago, but had pretty much forgotten about that goal until Thursday night.

“After last year, I really wanted it, but I didn’t think about it during the season,” said White. “I worked hard with my teammates and really enjoyed the season.”

The idea of winning the award, given to the state’s top senior softball player, didn’t register with the Cony pitcher until her name was called as this year’s recipient at the Maine Senior Softball All-Star Games in Augusta.

“It’s really an honor,” said White. “I’ve been playing softball for a long time and to get such an awesome award, it’s really unbelievable.”

Buckfield’s Desiree Brackett was equally surprised when she was named the Western Maine Class D Player of the Year. Brackett admits when the winner was announced being from Buckfield, she was sure it was her teammate Shayna Shackford.

“I didn’t think I’d get it, to be honest,” she said. “I was shocked.”

Brackett has been a starter since her freshman year. Though she saw limited action her first season as a pitcher, she’s been the Buck’s top hurler since. She helped them win a Western D championship before losing to Lee Academy, 1-0, in the state title game.

“It makes me feel pretty good about myself,” said Brackett. “It means a lot, especially in my senior year.”

Brackett will attend Central Maine Community College this fall.

White was also named the Eastern Maine Class A Player of the Year. White, who will attend Rivier College in Nashua, N.H. next year, hopes to play softball and basketball.

“It would have been nice to win states,” said White, who allowed just five hits but was hampered by five errors in a loss to Biddeford. “I think our team was really good. We deserved it, and we worked so hard this season. The way we ended was not an example of how we played all season, but this was a good way to end my high school career.”

The top player in Western A was Biddeford’s Jen Dutremble. The Class B winners were Winslow’s Cathy Sirois and Wells’ Hannah Knight. In Class C, Sacopee Valley’s pitcher Michelle Libby was the West Player of the Year while Central’s Alyssa Libby was the East’s honoree. In Eastern D, the top player was Ashland’s Ashley Nember.