Old Colony softball hits off new season
Emma Yelle and Shaylin Starkie practice batting. Photos by Grace Roche
Perzhia Charles and Paige Borges bat in the gym. 
Leah Robitaille watches as Remy Ymer swings. 
Allie Cadorette waits as Ryann Miranda gets ready to swing. 
Madison Caton gets ready to field a ball. 
Braylee Bettencourt throws a ball.
Emma Yelle and Shaylin Starkie practice batting. Photos by Grace Roche
Perzhia Charles and Paige Borges bat in the gym.
Leah Robitaille watches as Remy Ymer swings.
Allie Cadorette waits as Ryann Miranda gets ready to swing.
Madison Caton gets ready to field a ball.
Braylee Bettencourt throws a ball.
ROCHESTER — Bright green softballs flew across the Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School gymnasium as the varsity softball team held its first practice of the season Monday, March 16.
With many returning players along with a number of new recruits, the Old Colony softball team is looking for a strong, competitive season full of improvement.
Coach Brandon Mendez said he began the first practice by helping the girls get to know each other and share their goals for the season. He said many of them want to hone their skills and see the team go far in the postseason.
Mendez said he already has a good feeling about this season, as the team is shaping up to be “a nice group with a lot of enthusiasm.”
He said the combination of experience and new players make for a “nice blend,” with some coming from the junior varsity team or previous softball experience.
Beyond winning games, Mendez said he wants to see his players grow.
“I'm lucky enough to work in a place where wins and losses are not the main focus — developing the person is really the focus of Old Colony sports,” he said. “What I take the most pride in is watching them go through four years, watching them graduate, move on and have careers and families. That's really what I'm passionate about.”
One of these students who will graduate this year is Laila Servis. The Carver resident has been playing the sport since elementary school and joined the high school team when she was a freshman.
Four years later, she’s now one of the team captains and said there’s a lot to look forward to in her final season.
“I'm excited to be a leader for the team,” Servis said. “I hope we're successful and I hope I leave a good legacy here.”
She said even if they don’t get along perfectly, her and her teammates have enjoyed good relationships. They spend time together outside of the team, support each other and like to laugh and dance practices.
Freshman Remy Ymer, of Lakeville, joined the team this year at the urging of a friend and now-teammate.
“I've always been told that I've had a good arm, so I figured that this ties directly into it,” she said.
As this is her first time playing softball, she said she hopes to end the season with a deeper knowledge of the sport.
