NEWBURYPORT — Molly LeBel expects perfection.
Nothing more. Nothing less.
During Pentucket softball games these past few years, when the Panthers are taking their hacks at the plate, it’s not uncommon to see LeBel sitting off by herself on the edge of the dugout — staring straight ahead at the action. She’ll of course high-five teammates when they walk by, or offer some quick words of encouragment to someone who may have just struck out.
But by and large, LeBel has a laser focus that never gets broken.
“Molly’s not satisfied unless she’s perfect,” said Pentucket coach Deb Smith. “She pushes herself so much and expects perfection from herself, and that’s why she’s so good. She’s so happy for her teammates and cheers them on … but she’s definitely always thinking abot the next batter she’s about to face.”
And it’s that driven mentality that’s helped LeBel grow into one of the best pitchers in a loaded CAL conference — and arguably the best pitcher in Pentucket softball history. Still only just a junior, she picked up her 500th career strikeout during Friday’s 7-4 victory over rival Newburyport, and simply continues to get better by the game. The day she arrived at Pentucket Regional three years ago, she took over the starting pitcher role and hasn’t looked back since.
In fact, the Panthers wanted her on varsity as an 8th-grader, but weren’t allowed.
No problem: LeBel’s JV team went undefeated that year.
“No, I definitely didn’t see all of this happening when I got to high school,” said LeBel, who was promised a cake after hitting 500 strikeouts, but sadly didn’t get one after Friday’s game (the Panthers got her one later).
“I was really nervous coming in my freshman year, but this has all been very exciting. To get to 500 strikeouts already is pretty insane.”
There were of course some growing pains during that freshman year. But for the most part, LeBel came in and made an immediate impact from Day 1. Despite having an ERA just north of 5.00, LeBel struck out an impressive 205 batters in 137.1 innings during that 2022 campaign, leading the Panthers (12-10) back to the playoffs after the program had just three wins in each of the previous two seasons. Then last fall, she was named both a Daily News All-Star and All-CAL after again posting exactly 205 strikeouts, but this time with a much lower 2.02 ERA and 15 wins.
And now after Friday’s game, LeBel has 91 Ks for the season (501 career), with an even 2.00 ERA.
“She’s the hardest worker,” said Smith, her team now 8-3 after taking down the Clippers for the second time this spring. “She throws year-round, and you can see the progress every day.”
But for the past few years, LeBel has had a secret weapon in her back pocket.
Enter assistant coach Julie Freitas.
For CAL softball diehards, a name you probably remember from not that long ago. Freitas (PRHS ’18) was a Daily News All-Decade Second Teamer for the 2010s, and was described in our write-up as: “Pentucket’s most decorated player of the past decade.” She was a three-time Daily News All-Star, two-year captain and started in the circle her entire career for the then-Sachems, while also providing a power bat in the middle of the lineup.
For LeBel, having a former Pentucket pitching great right next to her in the dugout has been invaluable.
“It’s so awesome,” said LeBel. “She’s the best encourager and coach anyone could have.”
LeBel is also a captain this spring as a junior, so the two share that in common. And according to Smith — Freitas mother — the two have “the exact same personality” and mesh together incredibly well.
And get this: Freitas wore No. 7 during her career.
LeBel now?
Yup, No. 7.
“It’s been awesome to watch her grow up,” said Freitas. “Freshman year she was put in a crazy position and she crushed it. We had some tough times, but we came out of it and she works so hard. I’m so proud of her, and it’s been fun to watch her journey.”
And as far as the “GOAT” debate for best Pentucket pitcher of all time, Freitas is happy to concede to her pupil.
“She might have me now!” said Freitas. “She beats me, I say it all of the time. She’s the best, and I can definitely say that. It’s been an honor to coach her.”
LeBel, humbly, chimed in with: “I think we tie.”
Regardless, it’s already been a heck of a 2.5-year start to LeBel’s career. She’s well on pace to eclipse the 600-strikeout milestone at some point later this spring, and if the Panthers — currently ranked No. 11 in Division 3 — can make a little playoff run, who’s to say she can’t get halfway to 700? There’s no telling what the final K number will be when the career wraps up in 2025, but it’d be foolish to put a limit on what LeBel could achieve.
Remember, she is a perfectionist.
Pentucket 7, Newburyport 4
Pentucket (7): Murphy ss 4-2-1, Freitas 2b 3-1-2, Hackett dp 4-2-1, Bartholomew lf 4-1-3, McCoy cf 3-1-1, Gabardi 1b 2-0-0, Connelly rf 3-0-0, Pennie c 4-0-0, White 3b 4-0-0. Totals 31-7-8
Newburyport (4): Bolcome cf 4-1-1, Keefe ss 4-2-3, Meleedy p 4-0-1, Habib c 3-0-0, Lavallee 2b 3-0-1, Dowell rf 4-0-2, Thompson 3b 2-0-0, DeVivo dp 4-1-1, McMarty lf 3-0-0. Totals 31-4-8
RBI: P — McCoy 4, Hackett 2, Murphy; N — Meleedy 2, Keefe, Dowell
HR: P — McCoy, Murphy
WP: LeBel; LP: Meleedy
Pentucket (8-3): 5 0 0 0 1 1 0 — 7
Newburyport (8-2): 0 0 3 0 1 0 0 — 4