Sam She Is: Taunton's Lincoln hopes to carry strong start into fourth straight D1 title

TAUNTON— Taunton pitcher Sam Lincoln is no stranger to the spotlight nor high expectations.

The 2023 Taunton Daily Gazette Softball Player of the Year and Texas Tech signee comes into her senior season as not just a defending Division 1 champion, but the top-rated player in Massachusetts by MaxPreps and ranked the No. 17 player in the country in the 2024 Extra Innings Elite 100. With all eyes on Lincoln as she hopes to lead the the Tigers to a fourth straight Division 1 title, she knows the pressure on her to deliver.

When it came time to step back into the circle Monday, Lincoln could not have asked for a more perfect start.

The 6-foot-1 southpaw tossed a perfect game against Sharon, striking out all 15 batters she faced as the Tigers defeated the Eagles 17-0 in five innings of Hockomock League action.

"It felt great," Lincoln said. "It was great to see everything I did in the offseason pay off."

In particular, she cited her work with strength and conditioning coach Cabrinni Gonsalves, himself a former standout athlete for the Tigers who went on to play football at the University of Maine as well as the Vermont Bucks of the Can-Am Indoor Football League.

"I would go and lift with coach Cabrinni in the weight room and we would run too and after that I’d go pitch a full bullpen," Lincoln said.

Catching for her in those bullpen sessions was Taunton freshman catcher and third baseman Bella Bourque, who established herself as a key part of the Tigers last year while still an eighth grader.

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"It was great to work with someone at that speed and get that work in," Bourque said. "She works really hard and it was great learning how to catch someone (like her). I’ve never caught someone that throws like that with the spin and speed."

For Lincoln, it was a bit of an adjustment working with a catcher a few years younger than her, but says it helped to break the two of them out of their shells and form a better bond as teammates.

"We're closer than ever now," Lincoln said.

Additionally, it's that leading by example that Taunton coach Michelle Raposo loves.

"The kids look up to her and they want to be just as good, so they were working a little bit harder this offseason and now, so it’s awesome to see," Raposo said.

She praised Lincoln's worth ethic, as well as her and her teammates ability to focus on one game at a time and not let themselves be distracted by polls, rankings or being the team to beat in Massachusetts.

"She’s just ready to take things to that next level this year, so she’s put in the work and it’s nice to see that it all came to fruition," Raposo said.

While she is proud of what her and her teammates accomplished last season, the past is the past for Lincoln. Her focus is on the future while utilizing those lessons learned.

"Everything we did last season is all good, but it’s last season, so this year we have to do the same thing and hold the same standard," Lincoln said.

While she is focused on the pursuit of a fourth straight title, Lincoln can't help but look ahead to her college career as well, especially with her cousin and former Taunton softball star Ava Venturelli now playing for the University of Louisville.

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"I talk to her every day and she’s loving it and I’m so excited to get to college just to experience what she’s experiencing," Lincoln said.

Until then, though, she's proud to be able to work with this year's group of girls. While several have been tasked with replacing the "Core Four" of Venturelli, Kaysie DeMoura, Hayley Krockta and Kyleah Plumb, she feels they're up for the challenge.

"I’m feeling confident with our team so far," Lincoln said. "We have a lot of young girls this season, but that doesn’t change anything because they’re just as good players, so I’m excited to see everything (play out)."

Taunton Daily Gazette sports reporter Cameron Merritt can be reached at cmerritt@tauntongazette.com. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @CamMerritt_News. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to the Taunton Daily Gazette today.

This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Taunton senior, Texas Tech signee Sam Lincoln looks to deliver again