FRYEBURG – A year ago at this time, the Fryeburg Academy softball team thought they could do it.

They’d been on a steady climb through the Western B ranks and after a semifinal loss in 2007, the Raiders were poised for that next step.

Now, after winning the state championship last spring there isn’t a whole lot of doubt in the Raiders’ minds. They don’t just think they can. They know they can. And, most importantly, they know what is required.

“We know what it takes,” said senior pitcher Hannah Hill. “If we work really hard this year, anything’s possible. If we’re focused on ourselves, and if we really work hard as a team, we really can do the best we can do. Whether or not that wins states again, that’s a big achievement, but we still have a few months before playoffs happen. If we work together as a team, I really believe we can get some good stuff done.”

Fryeburg opens the season as a favorite to challenge for another state title. The Raiders not only return Hill, the pitcher who earned Gatorade Player of the Year honors last year, but also eight other starters. The Raiders lost starting third baseman Cerise Humphrey and outfielder Jacqui Bell, but the club is still deep and determined.

“It was a great experience, but we know this year, to prove ourselves, we have to work even harder because everyone is going to want to beat us,” said Heather Tripp, a senior catcher. “It just means harder work and that work will pay off.”

Tripp is back behind the plate despite offseason knee surgery. Desiree Ramsay at first, Ariel McConkey at second and Ellen Head at short provide an experienced infield. Brylie Walker, Kelsey Sheehan and Kaela Mitchell all started in the outfield while Tanya Randall started as the designated player.

“We have to look at it as a new beginning for us,” said Walker. “Last year was a great season and winning the states was awesome, but it’s 2009 and that was 2008. We have to kind of look and see what will happen.”

The Raiders’ strength starts with their battery. Hill and Tripp form a strong tandem. Hill is one of the top hurlers in the state and is only getting better. Tripp had a huge tournament last year, despite playing with a tear in her ACL.

Hill went 19-1 with a 0.26 ERA and 276 strikeouts. While Hill, who also batted .424 last year, is a dominant force, the Raiders success came from other players making significant plays.

“We always remind them that it takes more than Hannah,” said Coach Fred Apt.

The experienced infield supports the pitching with a strong defense behind Hill. Though Fryeburg lost the heart of its batting order, the hitting game could be improved. The team hit the ball well in its first preseason scrimmage against a good Telstar club. The Raiders even got a home run from sophomore Charlotte Lewis, the first ball hit out of their park in Fryeburg.

“They have a lot of confidence right now, but they’re work ethic is still there,” said Apt. “I was afraid of a little let down, but we came out and really hit the ball. So they have a lot of confidence and they’re working really hard.”

Another strength for the Raiders is its leadership. Walker and Tripp are the two captains and Hill is a tireless worker and leader for her team. With an experienced senior class leading the way, the Raiders know what it will take to deliver their best.

“The leadership that Heather, Hannah and Brylie bring is helping the younger kids,” said Apt. “They’re not going to let them slide at all. They’re not going to let that happen. They know we have to work. There are nights that they keep me here. I want to go, but they want to stay.”

The season is already starting on a special note for the Raiders. Fryeburg left for Florida earlier in the week. They have eight games and eight practices in six days during a tournament at the Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando.

“It will definitely be different because it will be different teams than we’re used to playing,” said Tripp. “So all we have to do is go in knowing that we have to play our best.”

The Raiders are already a close-knit group, and this trip, which was in the planning stages long before the state championship win, helps set the tone for what they hope is another special year.

“It’s really nice to get the opportunity to go to Florida and play,” said Walker. “We’re going to have a lot of scrimmages, which will be nice to have before the season starts. We have a lot of girls going. So everyone will get playing time and see what it is like to be on the varsity team.”

The Raiders open the regular season April 23rd against Sacopee Valley, the day after returning from Florida. With some great experiences under their belt, it will begin their chance to show how much they’ve learned.

“I honestly think that last year’s experience really brought us together as a team,” said Hill, who will attend Seton Hall next year. “We lost a couple key players, but it also gave a taste to everyone else what we can achieve when we work together as a team. That brought us together this year quite a bit more.”