Husson softball promotes interim head coach after historic season

This past spring, the Husson University softball team won 30 straight games, won its sixth consecutive North Atlantic Conference title, and was ranked as high as 20th in the Division III national rankings — all with an interim head coach.

Veteran pitching coach Rick Roberts took the reins last offseason and delivered, leading the Eagles to a program-best 37-6 record, an astonishing 1.71 team ERA and an NCAA regional final appearance at home on O’Keefe Field .

After Husson’s playoff exit, Roberts, aged 66, pondered his future with the Eagles. His involvement with the program was never in doubt, but his exact role moving forward was uncertain.

“It was a decision I had to think about. I had to sit down with my wife and talk about it,” Roberts said. “This program is strong and [former head coach] Diann Ramsey left us in great shape, but I’m retired, and head coaching is not a part-time position.”

Inspired by how close this Eagle team was to making its first-ever super regional (the national round of 16), Roberts ultimately came to the conclusion that he’d be back as head coach next spring. Husson made it official by removing the interim tag from his job title.

“It’s because of these kids. It’s an awesome group,” Roberts said. “We have something to finish.”

The Eagles will return all six members of its distinguished pitching staff, including sophomore Ana Lang (2023 Miss Maine Softball and 2024 NAC Pitcher of the Year) of Searsport and junior Dani Masterson of Hampden, both of whom had sub-1.5 ERAs across 100-plus innings pitched.

Under Roberts’ leadership, Husson players have won NAC Pitcher of the Year every season since he was hired as pitching coach in 2018.

Husson’s hitters will be coached by Whitney Jones, a Skowhegan native that played four years of Division I softball at Seton Hall in New Jersey from 2012-2015. She was hired prior to last season, and Husson’s offense went on to produce 6.9 runs per game with a team batting average of .305 in 2023.

The Eagles will be without leadoff hitter Katie Raymond (.223 batting, 19-for-19 base stealing) and cleanup hitter Kenzie Dore (.500 batting, eight home runs) but return virtually everyone else on the roster.

“Whitney’s one of the things that had to fall into place,” Roberts said. “I had to have great help. My concerns are gone now.”

Roberts currently lives in Ellsworth with his wife, and will serve as Husson’s head softball coach on a year-by-year basis.

The Los Angeles native is known as a “pitching guru” in northern Maine, and helps run clinics at Maine Sluggers in Brewer in addition to providing private lessons around the state. He was formerly the head varsity softball coach at Ellsworth High School.

“We are excited that Rick has agreed to remove the Interim tag from his title and join Husson as our permanent softball coach,” Husson Director of Athletics John Sutyak said. “Rick’s pedigree as the top pitching coach in the state, coupled with his ability to recruit and develop high level student-athletes is a perfect fit for Husson University as we work to continue a strong legacy of success for our softball program.