While Aria Fraser adds alternate meanings to the term “flying start” on an almost daily basis, she’s slaughtering the cliché of “catcher’s speed.”
Fraser, the junior captain, has backboned a brilliant first half for the Warriors, who ride a five-game win streak and sit at 6-2 on top the MVC2.
“I was really pumped about the season. I did a lot in the offseason, trying to prepare myself,” said the returning Eagle-Tribune All-Star backstop. “It was just a mentality, and the whole team took it. Everyone is super-pumped about the season. Everyone is excited and doing well.”
Going 3 for 3 with a walk in Friday night’s 8-4 Warrior win over Methuen, Fraser bumped her on-base percentage up to .688 for the season. Through the first 10 games, she has an amazing 19 stolen bases.
“Hopefully, I can get to 40 steals in a season. That would be huge,” said Fraser. “I’m hoping I can keep the batting average up over .350, too.”
Stealing bases has become an art form for Fraser.
“It’s about speed for sure, but I pride myself on my sliding. It’s something that I’ve always loved,” said Fraser, who plays club ball for the Northeast Reign. “I don’t really think about it when I’m running. It’s just how ever I feel like I can get to the base the quickest, trying to avoid the tag.”
The wild offensive numbers only tell part of the story, though.
“She just controls the game from behind the plate,” said coach Rick Quattrocchi. “She handles our pitchers so well. She blocks everything, and shuts down the running game with her arm.”
Fraser came up through the Andover system in both field hockey and softball, but when high school hit, she poured her heart into that one true love.
“I feel like in high school softball, I’ve started to love it more, the people, the thrill of the game. I love it so much,” she said.
These days, Fraser is already eyeing college softball in her future.
“I’m definitely shooting for the stars,” said Fraser. “I’ve emailed some Division 1 colleges, and that’s a huge goal of mine.”
Warrior Notes
Andover’s win over Methuen on Friday was the first for the Warriors over the Rangers in five years, according to Rick Quattrochi.
Molly Purtschert, Liana Gath and Eve Rittershaus all homered in the win, while the bottom third of the order – Caroline Samaras, Ava Koehn and Olivia Naffah – provided a huge lift, going 6 for 9 with three steals and four runs scored. …
Andover will have its hands full on Wednesday at Central Catholic, which has not lost in the league yet.
“I think we definitely have a good chance,” said a confident Warrior captain Aria Fraser. “We have to be ready to play. We can’t let a bad inning happen. The thrill of having all these wins stacked up, I hope, will push us to be our best.”
Fab Friday
If the weather allows, Friday should be a legit showcase of exactly where the area stands as it comes to softball in New Hampshire.
At 4 p.m., 7-0 Windham plays at rival Salem, followed by a 6 p.m. start for Pinkerton (8-0) at Londonderry (9-0).
The nightcap is the biggest game of the spring to date in what has become an absolutely loaded Division I.
Just look at the week Pinkerton could have, again weather permitting.
On Monday, the Astros head to Spaulding, which just knocked off Salem. Wednesday, it’s a home battle with 6-2 Winnacunnet before the Friday clash of the titans.
The Astros have plenty of depth in the circle with the Julia Caruso (4-0)-Mollie Wheale (3-0) tandem.
The outfield trio of Caitlin Lemay, Abby Carvalho and Cara Murray has carried the offense, along with catcher Brielle Foote.
Division I is a monster, though, and the Astros, not just this week but the rest of the way, will need to be at their best.
“There is competition coming at you from all directions in Division I,” said Pinkerton coach Tom Wall. “You have to show up with your ‘A’ game. Otherwise, it’s going to be trouble.”
No Time for Rain
The bleak forecast this week, with rain projected in some form every day, is not what local coaches wanted to see.
Already pushed to the wall schedule-wise with an early Memorial Day holiday this year, teams are scrambling for dates to squeeze games in.
“We’re playing every Saturday the rest of the way, and we had to schedule a doubleheader with Wayland, just to try to get the games in,” said Whittier Tech coach Cheryl Begin, who is prepping her club for a four-game week, including Tuesday afternoon’s home rematch with Greater Lawrence Tech.
“No coach wants to see that forecast,” added Windham’s Brian Martin.