LISBON – No matter what sport she is playing, Sadie Goulet tends to be where the action is.

The Oak Hill senior is a three-sport standout and plays a vital role with each team she’s part of.

She’s leading the offensive attack as a forward on the field hockey team. She’s ball handler and playmaker on the basketball team. She’s the veteran pitcher and occasional third baseman on the softball team.

“When Sadie’s on the field, everything kind of settles in,” Oak Hill softball coach Allyson Collins said. “She has that effect on people. That’s just who she is. She’s a fantastic athlete. She puts team above herself all the time. She will give you everything she’s got.”

Last Wednesday, Goulet was delayed at school because of testing. Collins was unsure whether she’d have her starting pitcher against a key MVC game against a tough-hitting Lisbon team.

“I didn’t know what I was going to do, but she got here on time,” Collins said.

Goulet then battled in the circle and helped the Raiders win a key game against one of the top seeded teams in Western C. She scattered 12 hits but never let the Greyhounds seize control of the game. She was steady in the circle and helped the Raiders maintain its lead in the 10-7 victory.

Though she’s not an overpowering pitcher, she’s crafty and steady. She keeps her team composed and opposing batters guessing.

“She’s more of a finesse pitcher,” Collins said. “She has some good junk. She throws it to the right place, and she throws it at the right time. She throws it really well. So she throws hitters off balance. When other pitchers have speed, she has a good mix where it throws batters off just enough.”

Though she shares pitching duties with junior Makayla Nadeau, Goulet has seen most of the starts and sometimes finishes the games Nadeau starts.

“I like pitching,” Goulet said. “I feel like I can control the game. I kind of like to be the team leader and try to have people look up to me. So I try to maintain our momentum.”

When she isn’t pitching, she’ll play third. It’s not her first choice of positions but plays it willingly because “someone has to play it,” she says.

Goulet is one of just three seniors on the Raiders squad. Kayla Veilleux and Iris Abbott are the other two. All three are in the top 10 in Oak Hill’s senior class. Veilleux is the salutatorian.

Being a team leader is nothing new for Goulet and a role she embraces. She’s been a calming and encouraging influence on all the teams she’s played for.

“I try to cheer everybody on when they’re hitting and on defense too,” Goulet said. “When somebody makes a mistake, you’ve just got to say, ‘Keep it up and get the next one.”

Goulet was an all-conference player in the MVC in both field hockey and basketball this school year.  She’s a vital part of the Raiders hopes of rebounding from a 1-3 start and challenging for a postseason berth in Western B. Oak Hill went 8-8 last year but have won six straight games and moved up in the Heal Point standings.

“She’s picked up a little speed and she’s able to throw the changeup for a strike just about every time,” Collins said. “Her drop is fantastic. That’s been enough for her this year and that little velocity that has come has really helped.”

Out of the three sports she excels in at Oak Hill, basketball is her favorite. It was the first sport she started to play. Softball and field hockey came later.

“I feel like I understand the game better and I’ve been playing basketball for a lot longer,” Goulet said. “The coaches I’ve had throughout the years have really helped me.”

Goulet plans on attending the University of Maine next year and studying elementary education. She won’t be playing varsity sports at UMaine but hopes to remain active.

“I don’t plan on playing sports there, but I may play club or intramural sports,” Goulet said. “I definitely plan on trying to weight lift every day.”

kmills@sunjournal.com