By Marc Thaler
Staff Writer

When Trinity of Manchester's 2005 Class L softball season started, the Pioneers. biggest question mark, according to head coach Kelly Correia, was whether the girls could sustain success in the batter's box for an entire season.

GOOD CATCH - Candia's Sarah Moody, a Trinity junior, had no problems catching the countless strikes thrown by starting pitcher Lauren Parece in the second inning at Padden Field on Friday, May 6. The Pioneers blanked host Central in the frame and won the game, 14-8. (Marc Thaler Photo)

Correia's concern seemed somewhat laughable on Friday, May 6, when Trinity tattooed the softball around Padden Field against host Manchester Central.

The Pioneers produced nine runs in the first two frames, including a six-run second inning, to win their fifth game of the season, 14-8.

"Our hitting was the weakest (element of our game) and that's what we've been practicing on, like every practice," Correia said. "We're just improving every day. It's amazing how they've gone from game one to now. It's just incredible."

Through last weekend, the Pioneers were truly peppering the ball around the park. THS compiled three of its first five wins by plating seven or more runs.

Against the Little Green, Correia's club wreaked havoc on the basepaths all afternoon by aggressively swinging the stick.

Before the top of the third inning concluded, THS reached double digits in the hits column.

"I'm surprised myself," Correia said of her team's hot stretch of hitting. "They're hardworking. They don't slack. They want to work. They want to practice, which is amazing. They make me look good. They're easy to work with. They pick up things, they try, and it's so much fun."

The Trinity head coach had one reason for the squad's solid start to the season, and it had nothing to do with taking extra batting practice.

It did, however, have everything to do with each player putting forth the extra effort necessary to make every individual feel comfortable.

In previous seasons, it was difficult to break the cliques that existed throughout Trinity's roster, Correia said. Players didn't stray far from their particular circles, where groups were often determined by grade.

This year, the head coach has seen a drastic difference. And the results have translated into a higher level of play on the diamond.

"We're just smiling all the time and having so much fun," Correia said. "It's supposed to be that way. I mean, it's high school softball. It's not college. In college, it's like a job. And this should be fun."

It's hardly a shock to hear the Pioneers have more fun when they're in control of the game.

Earlier in the season against Londonderry, Trinity lost, 7-2, allowing the Lancers to score all seven of their runs in the first inning.

"Our team was totally down," Correia said. "We need to jump ahead instead of waiting ... When we wait to get on the board, it seems the other teams attack us more and then we're always playing catch up. But when we attack early, then they're catching up to us and we have more confidence."

The '05 Pioneers have several local athletes, including the Bedford trio of seniors Cody Kelley and Kate Thomas, plus sophomore Chelsea Smith; the Candia contingent of juniors Sarah Moody and Erin Pepin; as well as junior Toni Natalizio of Concord.

The rest of Trinity's varsity roster includes assistant coach Tammy Goldstein; seniors Julianne Dickerson, Joya Doucet, Laura McLaughlin, cocaptain Danielle St. Pierre and co-captain Kathleen Twomey; junior Lauren Parece; and sophomores Laura Castelot and Brittany Lamontagne.

"For the rest of the season, I just want them to have fun and play hard in every game," Correia said. "Don't get down on themselves - always have confidence."