Plourde already holds numerous A10 and UMass pitching records thanks to one of the best riseballs in conference history, but she enters 2012 with one thing on her mind: redemption. UMass did not win the Atlantic 10 for the first time in six years and failed to make NCAA Regionals for the first time in 17 years.
Of course Plourde is not the reason they didn't make it back. She went 27-15 with a 1.30 ERA and 498 SO in 295.1 IP. Plourde also finished with a 1.30 ERA in 2010, but she had a 40-8 record. The difference between those two seasons can be found in UMass' offensive production: the Minutewomen hit .292 with 58 HR in 2010, but just .238 with 32 HR in 2011. If that production can return anywhere close to 2010, Plourde will once again put up scary numbers in the circle.
Plourde also carried a tremendous load last year in the circle, throwing 295.1 of UMass' 339.1 innings on the year. At the end of the season, she was the Minutewomen's only available pitcher and had to throw the final 20 games of the season. If the Minutewomen can get production from both Caroline Raymond and Lindsey Webster, the A10 could be seeing a sharp well-rested Sara Plourde for Atlantic 10 play.
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