By KEN HAMWEY

Staff Sports Writer

Last spring was a very significant time for Natick High’s softball team — it won a  conference championship for the first time in 27 years.

The Redhawks finished with a 14-2 regular-season record and shared the Bay State Conference title with Newton North. The last time Natick captured a softball crown was in 1994 when Bill Clinton was president, the internet was introduced and Tom Hanks won an Oscar for Forrest Gump.

The 2021 team, which lost in the state tourney to Mansfield in the second round, was led by Tom Lamb, Natick’s legendary football coach who was directing the squad in Diane Whittaker’s absence. 

                                    Karina Killelea, left, and Jess Brill are Natick’s captains.

Whittaker, who’s now in her third year as head softball coach, has yet to personally experience winning or losing. When appointed in 2020, the MIAA canceled all spring sports because of the pandemic. Last year, Lamb was Natick’s interim coach, filling that role after Whittaker suffered a concussion in an auto accident, forcing her to miss the entire season.

“I’m healthy, eager to return, and ready to go,’’ Whittaker said. “Last year’s championship season was awesome. I was so pleased and it’s great to have an assistant like Tom Lamb. I coached the seniors at the jayvee level and saw them improve. I also got to know other players in 2020 when we worked on team building and had virtual and team competitions.’’ 

The 40-year-old Duxbury native, who works as a school psychologist at the pre-school and high school levels in Natick, has four goals this season.

“We want to qualify for the tourney and advance deeper than last year, contend for the Carey Division title, and improve daily in practice and games,’’ Whittaker said. “Our objectives are reachable but we’ve got to replace two quality pitchers who graduated — Katherine Canty and Martha Jennings.’’ 

Whittaker is upbeat about her team because of its strengths. “We’ve got experience,  good leadership, the players are coachable and versatile, they’ve got a high softball IQ and they’re mentally tough,’’ she emphasized. “We’ll be scrappy on defense and we’ve got some assets on offense. We’ll play some small ball and also hit for power.’’

Natick’s senior captains — catcher Jess Brill, who will play next year at Stonehill, and shortstop Karina Killelea — are dynamic leaders and competitors.

“Jess was an all-star last year,’’ Whittaker said. “She had a .656 on-base percentage, scored 25 runs, stole 16 bases, hit .588 and had 11 RBIs. She’s confident and aggressive. On defense, she’s solid and has good arm strength. She’s also a clutch hitter. Karina was an honorable-mention all-star. A smart base-runner, she commands the infield because of her  range and strong arm. She’s a contact hitter (.418 average) who also can hit for power.’’

Senior Mia Hansen, who’s played left field, could be used at first base to replace Juliana Kiley who transferred to a private school. Kiley hit .558 and didn’t commit an error. “Mia is versatile,’’ Whittaker said. “And, she’s energetic in the batter’s box. She hit for an average of .442 and had three home runs. She’s also solid in the field and has a strong arm.’’

Centerfielder Samantha Bean and utility player Samantha Gondelman are seniors who’ll play key roles. 

“Bean is incredibly fast, smart, has great range and takes risks in centerfield,’’ Whittaker noted. “She’ll dive for a ball and she backs up the corner outfielders. Improving as a hitter (.333 last year), she’s got speed on the basepaths and is a terrific bunter. Gondelman can play either the outfield or second base. Relying on soft hands and a quick transfer, she’s steady in the field and she’s got some pop in her bat. An incredible bunter, her speed on the basepaths is outstanding.’’

  “A wall at third base’’ is the way Whittaker labels sophomore Olivia Schultz. “She’s a fierce and intense competitor who’s a superb fielder,’’ Whittaker said. “Always giving 100 percent, she’s a contact hitter who takes an aggressive approach at the plate. She hit .348 as a freshman.’’

Whittaker has a plethora of juniors aiming to earn playing time. “We’ve got juniors who are athletic, coachable and talented,’’ she said. “We’re hoping they can provide depth.’’

Whittaker has a strong group of assistants. Besides Lamb, Brenna Keefe will also serve as a varsity aide. Nancy Molina will be Natick’s jayvee coach and Jeff Wright will direct the freshmen. Lucia Cavacini is the pitching coach.

Whittaker relies on an athletic philosophy that “focuses on the little things.’’ She believes in sharp bunting skills, communication, how to get a proper lead on the bases, strategic timing, and a keen mental approach. “The girls know they have a role and to focus on what we do well,’’ Whittaker said. “If we do all these things, then winning will follow.’’

Whittaker knows valuable life lessons can be learned in athletics. She hopes her players learn to be quality teammates, know how to communicate, how to sharpen leadership skills and how to overcome adversity. 

A dynamic two-sport athlete at Duxbury High, Whittaker played softball and field hockey. She was a two-time captain and a three-time all-star as a pitcher. A goalie in field hockey, she was a captain and a two-time all-star.

Injuries limited Whittaker to only one season of softball at Quinnipiac College in Connecticut where she majored in psychology. She has a masters degree in educational psychology and is an educational specialist in school psychology.

A coach early on at the youth level in Duxbury and in club softball, Diane Whittaker’s passion now is at the varsity level. 

Hopefully, her third year as Natick’s head coach will be all about games, strategy and decision-making instead of dealing with a pandemic that erased her first year on the job and an injury that forced her to miss her second season. 

It all starts April 6 at Walpole.