Last spring, Lawrence's Heather Gilman and Messalonskee's Stacey Stuart were both high school shortstops, and also two of the top players in the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Class A.

This season, they're continuing to hit as teammates on the University of Southern Maine softball team.

Stuart has started all 10 games this season, and is hitting .400 in 30 at bats. She is third on the team with eight runs scored and has also driven in six runs.

Gilman has played in six games, starting four, and has a .357 average in 14 at bats. She has shown her power at the college level as well, with two doubles and a triple for a .643 slugging percentage and six RBI.

The Huskies finished up a 10-game, six-day stay in Fort Myers, Fla. by splitting a doubleheader Tuesday. USM is 5-5 on the season.

Stuart has been playing third base and serving as designated hitter, while Gilman is splitting time at shortstop with Sabrina Mills of Westford, Mass. In games where Gilman started at short and Stuart at third, the Huskies are 2-0.