Two ball players have entered the Lasell record books this season. Softball pitcher Eryn Sheeley and baseball pitcher Matthew Fletcher, have made a significant impact on their respective team, achieving marks that will be remembered by teammates and coaches for years to come.
Sheeley, a senior from North Haven, Connecticut, averaged seven strikeouts per game in just over 66 innings pitched. Among the 11 games she started, one of those outings featured a 14-strikeout game, breaking the previous school record.
Sheeley’s teammate, Grace LeClair, described her as a pitcher who is both physically tough and always wanting to give it her all. Another teammate, Mackenzie Still, called her a great leader because of her ability to motivate others.
“Mentally, [she is] the strongest girl to ever exist,” LeClair said. “She is able to keep us all in a good headspace and we feed off how she plays,” Still added.
Sheeley is always trying to perfect her craft, enduring intense preparation behind the scenes to ensure that she’s playing her best ball. But the Lasers’ ace also credits her success to those who have always had her back.
“I put a lot of work on and off the field, but I couldn’t do it without my team, my coaches, and my family by my side,” Sheeley said. “They push me to be a better person and a better player. I couldn’t thank them enough.”
First-year Head Coach Paul Gray has taken note of his Captain’s work ethic this season.
“I am grateful to come in and see someone right away who wants to win as badly as she does,” Gray said. “She leads by example and her personality carries over. Having a vocal leader is something our coaching staff is thankful to have.”
Similar to the impact of Sheeley’s success, the baseball team has propelled themselves into the top of the GNAC standings thanks to several strong outings by the junior, Fletcher.
“Fletch” as many on the team call him, has made seven starts and averaged double-digit strikeouts per game. He also sports a 3.13 earned run average in just over 37 innings pitched.
This Spring, Fletcher broke the Lasell record for most strikeouts in a career, last set by Josh Sullivan who finished with 133 strikeouts from 2009-2012.
The Southpaw from Wethersfield, Connecticut says that his teammates and coaches are the reason that he felt motivated to go out and get better every day.
“Whether it’s fine-tuning my mechanics or just helping me when I’m struggling, it means a lot to me,” Fletcher said. “Breaking the all-time career strikeout record shows that all my hard work has been paying off.”
Fletcher also says that despite going through many ups and downs, the main goal stays consistent; win a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) championship.
“At the end of the day, I just try to do what I can to help the team win and reach our end goal which will hopefully come to fruition,” Fletcher said.