May 6, 2009

When it comes to Gardner High School softball, there has been no shortage of outstanding accomplishments by current and former players. Recently, Stacey Lajoie, a Gardner alumna, added another brilliant chapter to the storied program's legacy.

On April 16, the former Wildcat star took over first place on the UMass Lowell career home run list, belting the 20th long ball of her career. She added one more before the close of the season to complete her collegiate career with 21.

Lajoie also finished as UMass Lowell's all-time leader in games played (208).

"I never expected to set any kind of home run record," Lajoie during in a recent phone interview. "I came (to UMass Lowell) not knowing what to expect."

While Lajoie maintains she never expected such an accomplishment, the ascent to the career home run mark isn't much of a surprise for Gardner head coach Howie Klash, who manned the bench during Lajoie's tenure as a Wildcat.

"When she was here, she was an outstanding hitter," Klash said. "She could hit for power, but she could also bunt. She used to play baseball with some of the boys here and I'm pretty sure she hit more home runs than most of the boys."

The ability to hit, and hit well, is a strong suit of Lajoie's, but not the only aspect of her game that garners attention. UMass Lowell softball coach Harry Sauter spoke of a recent game against Saint Rose in which Lajoie made three spectacular defensive plays in the final inning as the River Hawks picked up a win.

"She's very athletic. She's become a great outfielder," Sauter said. "She started as a shortstop here, but has moved to center field and now plays mostly there and catches a little.

"Stacey's the only senior we have on the team. We have a young team and we're struggling a little, but she's doing the best she can to lead the group. She's a team captain and great leader."

Despite having all the tools to be a successful player, it's her ability to crush pitches from the opposition that has put Lajoie in the spotlight recently.

In the third inning of the opening game of a doubleheader at New Haven, Lajoie passed the mark of former River Hawk standout Laurie Tanguay with her second home run of the season and 20th of her career.

"I think my family was more excited about it than I was," Lajoie recalled. "I was just in the game, hoping to win. I didn't get excited at all until I saw my dad running to get the ball. Then I got a little excited."

Tanguay graduated with the record last season and has kept in touch with the team and Lajoie over the course of this year's campaign.

"(Tanguay) set the record last year when they were teammates and has been very supportive this year," Sauter said. "She was at one of the games earlier (last) month. It may have been the game where Stacey broke the record."

"(Tanguay) called me (after the home run)," Lajoie said. "She was really happy for me."

The accomplishment capped off a season that lacked highlights for the River Hawks as a team. In addition to breaking the record, Lajoie was recently named to the Northeast-10 Conference Softball First Team, putting the finishing touches on an outstanding career.

The senior from Gardner went out in strong fashion, being named the Northeast-10 Conference Softball Player of the Week and UPS Student-Athlete of the Week to cap the season.

Lajoie said she still keeps in touch with some of her high school teammates from both basketball and softball and Klash, noting that "he came to watch the senior game this year."

In addition, to being an outstanding athlete, Lajoie has shined in the classroom and is hoping to pursue a master's degree in education with a goal to "be a fourth- or fifth-grade teacher."

Lajoie recently applied to continue her education at UMass Lowell. Sauter, for one, would enjoy seeing his star center fielder/catcher stay in the area for a bit longer.

"I put in a letter of recommendation for her," Sauter said. "It would be great if she stayed here and helped coach. She's a great athlete and a fun person to be around."