Windham Little League softball Merchant Focus holds off Gorham/Massabesic

By Matt Pascarella

Windham eighth grader Addison Leger slides into
home with the winning run after tagging up in the
bottom of the sixth inning during Windham Little
League softball junior division team's Merchant
Focus' game against Gorham/Massabesic at
Windham on Tuesday, May 18. 
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA  

Windham Little League’s junior division softball team Merchant Focus took on Gorham/Massabesic at Windham on Tuesday, May 18 and despite jumping to an early lead, Merchant Focus pushed ahead late to come away with a 6-5 victory to remained undefeated. 

Merchant Focus eighth grader Chloe Edwards got things started with a double against Gorham/Massabesic and eighth grader Dakota Small also doubled with Edwards scoring a run.

In the third inning, Gorham/Massabesic tied the game at one.

Merchant Focus got the bats swinging in the fourth inning. Edwards hit a ground ball and got on base after an error by the third baseman. Small doubled again; a short time later Merchant Focus took the lead after a run scored on a wild pitch. Small scored. Seventh grader Oakley McLeod singled. Eighth grader Kennedy Kimball doubled to center field. McLeod scored on a passed ball. Kimball scored. Merchant Focus led 5-1.

“I think since Gorham has been our toughest competitor so far, it kind of lit a little spark in me to play as hard as I could,” said Small.

She said the team knew Gorham is really good in every sport they play and it pushed them to work harder. Small said that she thought everyone did a great job.

In the sixth inning, Gorham/Massabesic tied the game at 5-5 but in the bottom of the inning, Merchant Focus eighth grader Addison Leger singled. After Edwards popped-up for an out, Leger stole home; to make it, 6-5, with Merchant Focus ahead.

Gorham/Massabesic had one final chance to score and force a tie in the bottom of the seventh inning, but solid pitching from eighth grader Sierra Sparrow, coupled with Merchant Focus’ field defense, prevented Gorham/Massabesic from doing so and Merchant Focus got a win and remained unbeaten.    

“Coming off last year, where we had nothing to this year, skill development is all fundamental; we are trying to get the girls better,” said Merchant Focus coach, Kregg Jarvais. “It’s all about at bats and playing time ... and getting people out of their comfort zone, in different positions, as they develop in their games.” <