Windham softball All-Stars turn back Scarborough in District 6 opener

Windham seventh grader Addison Caiazzo bats during a 
Windham Little League 10-12-year-old All-Star softball game
against Scarborough on Monday, June 21 at the Westbrook
Little League Complex. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

By Matt Pascarella

Windham Little League’s District 6 All-Stars team played its first game of the 10-12-year-old softball tournament against Scarborough and easily cruised to a win on Monday, June 21.

Windham knocked in three runs in the first inning, four runs in the second and seventh grader Addison Caiazzo crushed the ball for an in-the-park home run in the fourth inning. Windham emerged with an 8-2 win over the Red Storm in a game played at the Westbrook Little League complex.

After Windham shut down Scarborough defensively in the first inning, it was time for Windham’s All-Star players to get things going. Sixth grader Kaylee Napolitano doubled, then Caiazzo walked. Shortly after, Napolitano stole home. Caiazzo followed Napolitano’s lead and scored. Sixth grader Ava Cole walked. After sixth grader Evelyn Anderson singled, Cole scored. Windham had a 3-0 lead after one inning.

Another a quick three Scarborough outs by Windham and the All-Stars were ready to broaden their lead. Sixth grader Sarah Smyth singled on a pop fly that dropped. Napolitano singled on a bunt.

Windham kept the second inning going when seventh grader Lacie Higgins doubled on a line drive to center field. Smyth and Napolitano scored. Caiazzo doubled on a fly ball to center field and brought in Higgins. Fifth grader Eliana Kostopolous hit a line drive. Caiazzo crossed home plate. Later, Kostopolous scored. Windham led 7-0.

Smyth was not nervous against Scarborough and said she thought both defense and offense played a big part in the win. She said that she thought Windham worked well together as a team.

“This particular group has been working together for a while now,” said Windham coach Ronnie Higgins. “They’re ready to go, they’re excited to play and ... have some fun with it.”

Windham defense was too much for the Red Storm in the top of the third. While Scarborough got a player on base, they remained there until the end of the inning.

In the fourth, Scarborough did put two on the board, but that’s all Windham would allow for the remainder of the game. Caiazzo stepped up to the plate and ripped the ball to deep right field. She rounded second. It looked promising; Caiazzo beat the throw and brought in the eighth run for Windham.

Caiazzo said Windham played well and had strong communication. They were engaged all game. Hitting that in-the-park-home run felt really good to her, she said.

In the top of the sixth, Scarborough had one on. Windham’s defense closed out the game with Caiazzo pitching. Windham finished Scarborough with a strikeout, a ground out and a line out to second.

What’s to come? “Winning,” said Lacie Higgins. <

Southern Maine Activities Association names Wilcox ‘Coach of the Year’

Windham High varsity softball coach
Fred Wilcox talks to a player during a
prep softball game against Falmouth
on June 10. Wilcox was recently
voted as 'Coach of the Year' by the
Southern Maine Activities Association.
He has been a part of various Windham
softball programs as a coach since 2008.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

By Matt Pascarella

Windham varsity softball coach Fred Wilcox had an amazing season in 2021. His team finished 16-3 after they made it to the Class A South semifinal where they played an incredible game. Recognizing this achievement, the Southern Maine Activities Association (SMAA) has voted Wilcox the “Coach of the Year.”

The SMAA “Coach of the Year” is voted on by other SMAA coaches and traditionally the award is given to the coach who other coaches feel gets the most out of their team.

Wilcox has been involved with Windham softball in some form since 2008. He’s been a coach for Windham Little League, Windham Middle School and an assistant coach and head coach for Windham High School.

Wilcox moved around a bit growing up, but sports got him involved. He wanted to become a coach because he had great coaches as a kid.

“I really enjoy being on the field. I love watching the players come together and work as a team,” said Wilcox. “It prepares them for a lot of what happens in life. Sports are a great way for them to learn how to deal with adversity. And being a coach gives me an opportunity to give back to players what other coaches have taught me.”

Sports was an outlet for Wilcox who had great mentors like Westbrook Little League coach Louie Lampron that kept him involved and on the right track. When Wilcox’s two daughters started out in sports, Wilcox wanted to be there for them and other young players the way Lampron was there for him and many other players.

“I think it’s really a two-year body of work for Fred to get this years’ recognition,” said Windham Athletic Director Rich Drummond. “In 2020 when the season was cancelled Fred did an excellent job in maintaining communication with his players and celebrating his kids in a very difficult situation. That carried into this season and the team had a very productive year which will lay the foundation for future seasons.”

Since the team is so talented, Wilcox was able to push them harder as a coach. Although the team is younger, they have a lot of experience with the game. Wilcox’s coaching staff coupled with these skilled athletes was a recipe for success.

For outgoing senior Ellen Files, Wilcox’s coaching style is both challenging and rewarding. She says he has faith in every player. He pushes his team because he knows they can do better. Files said Wilcox really made this a year to remember.

“I’ve coached at every level from Little League to College Showcase,” said Wilcox. “I believe that experience allows me to connect with every type of player that steps on our field. I’m able to recognize what a player should focus on to make them a better all-around player.”

It was a great honor for Wilcox to be named SMAA “Coach of the Year.” There are many great coaches in the conference. It made him feel like he was doing something right to be selected by the other coaches. He gives a lot of credit to the team. His team made coaching fun and easy this season.

Wilcox’s outlook for future seasons and teams is a bright one for many years to come. He knows there’s a lot of talent coming through and he’s looking forward to many successful years at the helm of Windham softball. <

Tales from the Outdoors: Electric Fishing

By Bob Chapin

We expect the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife staff to know what species of fish are in what waters, what their approximate age and sex ratio is, and how external activities such as dam building or removal are likely to impact them.

They need to know these things if they are to “manage” the waters so that we fishermen and ladies, and more importantly, our children and grandchildren, have a resource they can use, and that resource stays healthy and sustainable. We pay for these activities through our license fees and the taxes we pay on fishing equipment, boat registrations, milfoil stickers, etc.

But how do they know what the fish biomass is in any particular body of water? One technique that they use is electro-fishing, it is not what you may think. It requires a team effort to do because there are several simultaneous actions that are too much for one individual.

I had a chance to participate as a team member when IF&W did a biomass count on a section of the Crooked River, a vital tributary to Sebago Lake and the source of many of its native salmonids such as salmon and brook trout.

The key person, in this case Jim Pellerin, Region A Senior Biologist, assigned tasks to those of us, both IF&W staff and volunteers organized by the Sebago Chapter of Trout Unlimited. The most critical task was assigned to Brian Lewis, an IF&W biologist. He had strapped onto his back a battery carrier, connected to a PVC pipe wand that looked like something a metal detector might use—a loop of metal on the end—which he would pass over a section of the stream.

We would all walk up the streamline abreast with some folks on either side of him. Some of us were netters, others hauled buckets of cold stream water. We all wore rubber hip boots, even though the water was warm, as they protected us from a mild shock. We were tempted at times to reach in barehanded and grab a fish, but you only did that once!

On signal, Brian would turn on the wand and slide it back and forth under the water that was about a foot deep where we were. The resulting electric current in the water would cause small fish to move. You would be amazed how many fish actually live in these waters because without the aid of the electro-wand they would not move, and you would not be able to see them.

Flanking Brian “the Sparkman,” would be volunteers with dip nets that would catch the fleeing fish in nets that looked like pool skimmers. The fish would then be placed into buckets of water and hauled to the shoreline where Jim Pellerin was waiting to survey the fish.

Once the fish arrived at the shore, Jim would administer a mild sedative that would help the fish relax and prevent them from getting too excited and hurting themselves trying to get away from the handlers. He would then examine each fish caught, record their length and weight, determine their species and sex, examine them for any unusual growths or previous damage then deposit them in a holding tank while they recovered from the anesthesia.

After a short waiting period they were returned to the water, none the worse for wear. Most of these fish were in the 3- to 5-inch size range. Larger fish would either depart the area as the entourage approached or were large enough to overcome the light charge and would swim away before they could be netted. It takes a very experienced eye to sort and sex these small fish.

We did this for several hours but because of the density of fish in the stream and its width in the section we were sampling, we only did about a 50 linear yard section of the river. From this sampling IF&W could extrapolate what the density of specific fish were and know how productive the Crooked River is for each species.

This is a manpower and time intensive effort, but it gives a good indication of what is going on in waters where this technique is applicable. In waters such as lakes where the water is too deep for electrofishing, other techniques are used such as sonar sampling and using gill nets suspended at various depths.

Occasionally, the biologists will discover a species they did not know existed in a body of water. These are often classified as “invasive species.”

Some of the invasive fish become forage fish for the native species. Sometimes they take over crowding out native species and forcing declines in species we humans are more interested in such as salmon. <

Season ends in regional finals for Windham High lacrosse squads

Windham senior Julia McKenna fires a shot close
to the goal during the girls' lacrosse regional
final game against Falmouth on Tuesday, June 
15 at Falmouth High School. PHOTO BY 
MATT PASCARELLA

By Matt Pascarella

The number two seeded Windham High girls’ lacrosse team and the number six seeded Windham High boys’ lacrosse team both competed in regional final playoff games against Falmouth at Falmouth High School on Tuesday, June 15 and although they exhibited plenty of intensity and emotion, both teams were eventually eliminated.

Windham’s girls were tough and forced overtime; but Falmouth advanced to the championship game with a 13-12 win. Windham’s boys came from behind and never gave up, but in the end, Falmouth held them off and emerged with a 10-7 victory.

Girls 

Windham senior Emma Yale scored in the first 17 seconds. Next to score was senior Julia McKenna, then junior Molly Black. Falmouth then tied the game at three. Yale’s goal tied the game at four. But McKenna scored, Windham senior Riley Beem did the same and at the half, Falmouth was ahead only by a 7-6 margin.

Yale scored back-to-back goals in the second half and Windham junior Isabelle Babb knocked the ball from a Falmouth stick and shot it in for a goal. Beem scored, Black scored again, and Falmouth led 12-11 before Windham senior Riley Hennessy tied the game at 12 with a goal.

At the buzzer, the contest remained tied and went into overtime to decide who advanced to the title game.

Overtime was one three-minute period and the first to score wins according to MPA rules. The Lady Eagles fought hard, but Falmouth gained possession and scored to advance.

“We were coming back; it was really cool to see. It was exciting; I was really pumped up,” said Yale. “The senior class has all been together for so long. We all wanted (the win) for each other ... and we worked so hard ... and that’s what made it special.”

Windham Girls’ Lacrosse Coach Matt Perkins said he has a great group who did not quit. He added that they worked hard, and the seniors are a great example for the younger players, who they’ve taught how to act and how to work hard.

“It’s a really special group,” Perkins said.

Boys

Falmouth scored early, but Windham’s defense was strong. Windham’s offense fired shot after shot after shot at Falmouth goalie. Junior Nolan Brennan put Windham on the board in the second quarter when he scored back-to-back goals. Falmouth was up 4-2 after one half of play.

Windham would not let this one go without a fight. In the second half, senior Derek Palow scored two goals; and so did senior Holden Anderson. Sophomore Alex Yeaton tallied another goal as Windham continued to battle.

In the second half Windham came within one point of Falmouth. Windham’s defense gained several possessions from Falmouth and kept this game close until the final buzzer.

Windham coach Pete Small said he knew that Falmouth players are strong. What Small said he took away from this game is that the Windham team believed in themselves and kept fighting and and never let up.

“We’ve played them every year and they are (quite) a team ... we knew going into this there was going to be a battle and if we worked as hard as we could, we’d be in the game”, said Anderson. “I think we worked as hard as we could. The outcome just wasn’t the way we wanted, but I wouldn’t want to play with another group of guys.” <

Windham varsity softball falls in 14 innings to Biddeford in state semifinal

By Matt Pascarella

Windham’s Lady Eagles varsity softball enjoyed an incredible year going 14-2 in the regular season and powering through the postseason playoffs, but narrowly came up on the short end of a 3-2 score in a 14-inning defensive matchup against Biddeford on Saturday, June 12 at Doran Field in Biddeford.

Windham gave it everything they had plus a lot more in the Class A South semifinal.

Junior Ellie Miller slides into third base during Windham's Class
A South semifinal softball playoff game against Biddeford on
Saturday, June 12 at Doran Field in Biddeford. Windham lost, 
3-2, in 14 innings ending the Lady Eagles' outstanding season.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLLA

The game was scoreless for 12 innings, but Windham put two runs on the scoreboard in the top of the 13^th inning. Biddeford responded by tying the game and late in the 14^th inning, Biddeford scored and advanced to the Class A South championship game with a 3-2 win.

It had all led up to this moment. When the Lady Eagles stepped onto the field against Biddeford, their energy was sky high. Windham was ready; nothing proved that more than what was about to happen that sunny Saturday afternoon.

At every opportunity after seven innings that Biddeford got to end the game, Windham freshman pitcher Brooke Gerry, along with the entire team, shut them down. Windham often ended innings with Biddeford runners stranded on base.

“There’s no giving up in this team,” said Windham coach Fred Wilcox. “When the cards are stacked against us ... they fought all the way. For a young team that’s a great trait to have because ... that’s the type of softball we’re going to play in the future. They’ll learn from this; they’ll come back strong next year and I can’t say enough about Brooke (Gerry), the kid’s just unbelievable.”

In the bottom of the 10th inning with two outs, Biddeford loaded up the bases. Nerves and excitement were high. Gerry’s pitching struck out the batter and ended the inning with Biddeford leaving the bases loaded.

The tie-breaker, a rule to bring the game to a conclusion, had gone into effect in the top of the 13^th inning and Windham junior Amanda Foss was placed at second base. After Gerry bunted and was out at first, Foss advanced to third. Sophomore Ella Wilcox crushed a line drive to left field. Foss made it home.

After a walk, Wilcox got to second on a passed ball. Senior Ellen Files singled to center field and Wilcox scored on the throw to home. Windham now lead 2-0. Biddeford responded in the bottom of the 13th with two runs to tie the game.

In the bottom of the 14^th, the tie-breaker rule put Biddeford’s runner on second and Biddeford scored on a passed ball.

“We keep going until the end,” said Gerry. “We don’t ever give up; we stay strong through it all.” Gerry said as the innings continued she just took it pitch by pitch.

Wilcox said that two of the best pitchers in the state kept two very good offenses down. They put on a fantastic game and did a great job. <

Tales from the Outdoors: Maine Moose Hunt

By Bob Chapin

For many, drawing the coveted moose tag, can be the highlight of your hunting career in Maine. Many go decades without being selected even as a resident. Should the time come when your name is drawn in the lottery you need to have thought about how you are going to get this hunt done and be prepared and act quickly to put some planning in before the best guides and motels are taken. This year’s drawing was held on June 12. If you were successful, Congratulations! Are you satisfied with your hunt dates and location or do you want to trade with another successful lottery winner? Will you stay in an area motel or camp? Reservations? Have you cleared the dates with your sub-alternate and other prospective members of your party? How will you hunt—spot and stalk, float a river or stream, drive the logging roads, climb a tree stand? How are you going to get your moose out of the woods and to the check station and butcher? Lots of questions and options confront the recent selectee but they all add to the excitement of the hunt. Here are some thoughts to help you through many of these questions, many you have no doubt already thought of, some maybe not.

Schedule

 
IFW will confirm dates of your hunt and send you your permit paperwork. Decide early if you will use a guide or rely on your sub-alternate and friends to first find then get your moose out of the woods. Many underestimate the level of effort required. Set up several scouting trips to scout the area you will hunt so you can be efficient about getting around in the area you have and getting your moose out should you be successful. Plan to arrive on a non-hunting day i.e. Scout Sunday. Figure out where the closest check in station is and a local meat processor if you are going to use one.

Before you leave home make sure you have all your paperwork in order such as Maine Hunting License/moose/deer permit. Have you Health Insurance cards, cash, credit cards, checkbook and driver’s license. Be prepared for unexpected costs such as food and billeting money, check station fees, meat processing costs, unexpected equipment costs such as additional coolers, guide fees and tips, tolls and gas fees, miscellaneous costs such as alcohol, cigars, snacks and drinks. 

 

Travel Issues (if driving)

Have good maps of the areas you will hunt. The Maine Gazetteer is surprisingly useful when you get up into the Unincorporated areas and logging roads. Tires/snow chains can get you out of mud encountered on some logging roads and early snowstorms. Decide early whether you will use a utility trailer or an ATV to help you move your animal. Consider throwing in a chain saw and all its support requirements as some of the logging roads see infrequent maintenance and you may have to “create a road” to where your animal is down. Take spare sets of keys for all vehicles and brief all members of your party where they are kept. Take non-hunting clothes for travel and camp wear.

Equipment

Although this is a moose hunting trip, consider what other members of your party might wish to hunt (for example, birds, deer, bear where the seasons overlap) and bring the necessary gear. Cell phone coverage can be spotty at best. Consider using the FRS radios which are short range and sometimes line-of-sight only but good for coordinating group moves. Take things that will help you find your way out of the woods after dark for example headlamps, compasses, GPS. Also consider the kind of light, such as a Coleman lantern, that will give you area lighting for skinning and butchering. For field dressing bring rubber gauntlets and gloves. Calls can be effective during the rut so don’t forget them. Game meat cloth bags for transport from the field are also handy. Shorter sections of parachute cord or rope come in handy when it comes time to butcher and to transport the meat as well as slings, straps, snatch blocks, pulleys and winches. Pack boards and bags can make the pack out easier. Clothes I will leave to your discretion. Expect wet cold weather and you won’t be disappointed. Remember Blaze Orange requirements.

Actions to be Accomplished Before Departure

Provide emergency phone numbers and itinerary to spouse/family
Sight-in rifle for 1 to 300 yds with or without gloves
Prepared Meals
Decisions/Discussions with your partners before the hunt
Sharing of meat and processing costs
Overdue Hunter Procedures
Sub-Alternate shooting plan—when, if ever, does he/she shoot?
How will the decision be made and by whom and when?

Enjoy your hunt! <

Amazing showing for Windham Eagles at outdoor track state meet

Freshman Khalysa Hammith is about to land in the long jump
competition during the state outdoor track meet at
Massabesic High School in Waterboro on June 5. Hammith
placed 10th overall with a distance of 15-07.25 feet.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

By Matt Pascarella

The outdoor state track meet at Massabesic High School on Saturday, June 5 was a hot day but the high temperatures did not prevent Windham athletes from giving it their all.

Several Windham athletes placed and set personal records (PR) for themselves. Senior Ethan Wert placed in three events and has three school records in those events. Senior Katelyn Smith placed and set two new school records. The boys placed eighth overall with a score of 37. The girls placed 15th with a score of 14.

Boys

After starting with the pole vault three weeks ago, Senior Tavi Anghel placed third with a height of 11-06.00 feet.

Wert placed in the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.24. In the 200 he placed fourth with a time of 22.67 and in the 400 he placed second with a time of 49.37.

“It felt great and I thought I wasn’t going to perform well, because the temperature’s really hot,” said Wert. He added adrenaline played a part, he gave it his all and surprised himself.

Sophomore Connor Langstaff placed seventh in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 43.43 seconds. He also placed seventh in the high jump with a height of 5-10.00.

Senior Niall Gushue placed fourth in the 400 with a time of 52.52. Gushue set a PR in this event and went from a ninth seed to fourth place.

“The athletes had an incredible season,” said Windham boys’ coach Paula Pock. “Almost every athlete hit their personal best, which is the goal for championship meets. I will truly miss the seniors; they are a competitive group that has been super fun to work with.” 

 

Girls

Senior Katelyn Smith set two new school records and PRs in the long jump and triple jump. Smith placed second in the long jump with a distance of 17-01.25 feet. In the triple jump, she placed third with a distance of 37-01.50.

“(The day was) better than I could have imagined, especially with it being my senior year. I didn’t have many expectations, I just wanted to go out strong,” said Smith.

Freshman Khalysa Hammith qualified for four state events: the 4x100 meter relay, the 4x400, the long jump and the 100. She had a PR and placed ninth in the 100 with a time of 13.02. In her second time doing the long jump, Hammith placed 10th with a distance 15-07.25.

Junior McKenzie Crossman set a PR and placed 18th in the 100 with a time of 13.41.

Senior Diane Ingalls set a PR in the pole vault when she placed 11th with a height of 7-06.00. She also set personal records in the 4x800 and 4x400.

“All of our players gave their best on that hot day,” said Windham girls’ coach Jeff Riddle. “School records blasted by one and PRs earned by many on the day, & confidences gained. Thanks so very much to all seniors for a great season, and to all players for trusting the process and pushing themselves to progress.” <

Windham gets by Westbrook in first round of prep softball playoffs

Freshman Brooke Gerry winds up to pitch during
Windham's first-round state softball playoff game
against Westbrook at Windham High School on
June 8. Windham beat Westbrook 9-2 to advance
to the next round of the playoffs.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA  

By Matt Pascarella

The Lady Eagles softball team played their first-round playoff game, at home against Westbrook on Tuesday, June 8 and advanced to the next round with a huge win.

Windham had a 2-0 lead after three innings but in the fourth inning, Westbrook tied the game. Windham pulled away after a three-run home run from freshman Jaydn Kimball in the bottom of the fourth rocketed the Lady Eagles to an 8-2 lead. They held off the Blue Devils for the next few innings and won 9-2.

Windham’s defense was there from the beginning. In the first inning, after freshman Brooke Gerry struck out two batters, Kimball made the throw to junior and shortstop Amanda Foss who tagged a runner on her way to second.

In the bottom of the first inning, Gerry walked. She got around the bases and stole home on a passed ball to put Windham on the board.

Gerry singled in the bottom of the third inning, sophomore Ella Wilcox popped out to center field. Kimball also popped out, but Gerry tagged up and sloe home safely.

Westbrook hit a home run in the top of the fourth to tie the game at two.

“I knew I couldn’t take anything for granted,” said pitcher Gerry. “Before (playoffs) you want to work to get better. Here (during playoffs) you need to be the best you can be.”

After the Westbrook home run, Gerry said she shut down for a moment, but knew she couldn’t give up and needed to get back up there because her team needed her. Towards the end of the game, Gerry stayed confident and took it pitch by pitch.

In the bottom of the fourth, junior Kelsey Gerry and sophomore Hannah Heanssler both walked. Senior Shyler Fielding bunted and the bases were loaded. A pop up caught and Windham scored. Brooke Gerry singled and the bases are loaded again. Wilcox ripped the ball up the third base line and brought in two runs. Kimball stepped up to the plate and nailed a three-run home run. Windham now lead 8-2.

In the bottom of the fifth, Fielding walked, then Brooke Gerry singled on a line drive to center field. Fielding crossed home plate.

“We have to focus like every team is better than we are,” said Windham coach Fred Wilcox.  We didn’t have our ‘A’ game but we did just enough ... to get ahead and give us a little momentum.” He added they need to approach every game one pitch at a time and stay focused.

Windham’s defense kept Westbrook from getting around the diamond late in the game. After the final inning, Windham advanced to the next round of playoffs with a 9-2 win.

“Our defense played great today,” said Kimball. “That’s what you need ... especially in playoffs where (opposing teams) have seen Brooke throw and we need good defense to be there and have her back and they did that. That was awesome.” <

Windham Middle School softball pummels Falmouth to close season

By Matt Pascarella

Eighth grader Lydia Marden bats during Windham
Middle School's home softball game against 
Falmouth on Friday, June 4. Windham defeated
Falmouth, 11-2.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

Windham Middle School’s softball team got the party started early and kept it up through their final game of the season, defeating Falmouth on Friday, June 4 at home, 11-2.

Windham got things started early in the game as they scored five runs in the first inning and then in the fourth inning, they kept the bats going and drove in more runs.

During the fifth inning and their final time at bat, the Lady Eagles were too good to hold down; they would not be caught. Windham brought in four more runs to end the season with an impressive win.

In the bottom of the first inning, Windham seventh grader Nola Bryant walked. Eighth grader Cami Casserly then doubled scoring Bryant. Seventh grader Oakley McLeod hit a triple, then stole home for another run. Eighth grader Lydia Marden, seventh grader Elise Gallop and eighth grader Addison Leger all singled with Marden scoring.

After seventh grader Isabella Hinse singled, Windham had loaded up the bases again and eighth grader Isabelle Fortin singled with Gallop scoring. Bryant then singled again with Leger scoring. After one inning, Windham held a commanding 5-0 lead over Falmouth.

Windham’s defense limited Falmouth runners from crossing home plate and often ended Falmouth innings quickly, thanks in part to Windham’s eighth grade pitcher Willow Washburn.

“I think we put a lot of practice in and we’ve been working on what we can do to make ourselves better as a team,” said Marden.

Windham swung the bats with force in the bottom of the fourth inning when McLeod singled. After eighth grader Dakota Small walked, Washburn singled and the bases were loaded. Marden singled; McLeod and Small scored and Windham led 7-1.

“They play as a team, they come hard every day and are here to play ball, they are fantastic,” said Windham coach Rick West. “They came every day to play without knowing if there would be any games to play in.”

Windham did not let up in the bottom of the fifth inning. Bryant walked. Casserly singled; then McLeod doubled driving in Bryant. Small singled and Casserly scored. Washburn singled and McLeod scored. Marden doubled and Small scored to close out the scoring parade for Windham.

West said that the girls on this team are very supportive of each other with those who had played a lot of softball before willing to assist those who are new to the game. That sense of teamwork showed in Windham’s readiness to play in this game against Falmouth.

Windham wrapped up a three-game season and the Lady Eagles won every game. <

Windham JV boys’ lacrosse defeats Thornton Academy

Windham sophomore George Voinea gets by a
Thornton Academy defender during Windham's
home boys' JV lacrosse game on Friday, May 29.
Voinea had two goals with one in the first half and
one in the second half as the Eagles beat the
Trojans, 8-6. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA  

By Matt Pascarella

Windham hit the field with a lot of intensity and showed Thornton Academy they were ready to play during the second to last home boys’ JV lacrosse game of the season against Thornton Academy on Friday, May 28. The Eagles led most of the game, until the fourth quarter, where Thornton was able to catch up, but Windham remained ahead and won 8-6.

The Eagles scored several goals early on and had a substantial lead. While the Trojans fought back, they were unable to make up much ground against Windham until late in the game.

Windham freshman Landon Buzulchuck got them on the scoreboard early in the game. Windham junior Izack Enman scored next. From there, the boys moved the ball nicely and were aggressive. Windham freshman Jake Lord scored back-to-back goals in the first half. Windham sophomore George Voinea also scored during the half.

The Eagle’s offense and defense were outstanding as they not only kept running the scoreboard up but prevented Thornton Academy from scoring many in the first half of the game. At the half, Windham led 6-2.

“I think we kept the pressure up really well,” said Windham sophomore Owen Gualrapp. “ (Thornton Academy) has been a tough team to beat in the past and we really came together to get the win.”

Windham remained just as aggressive at the start and during the second half as they were in the first half. Enman scored again. Voinea also put the ball in the net again. Windham sophomore Alex Momot put one between the posts.

As the clock wound down in the fourth quarter, Thornton Academy scored several goals to quickly gain ground on the Eagles. There was 31 seconds left and Windham led by two. Thornton Academy did gain possession before the final buzzer, but Windham kept them from putting any more in the net.

“For us, especially in this year, it’s been focusing on all the small things: passing, catching, ground balls,” said Windham JV coach Seth Fournier. “Those fundamental things got us through the end there when (Thornton Academy) started to come back and get some momentum. That was huge; it’s what kept us in the game.”

Fournier added that the team has adapted, are coming on strong and doing well at the end of the season. <

Junior varsity girls’ lacrosse overpowers Scarborough

Windham senior Bria Campobasso looks to pass 
during a girls' junior varsity lacrosse game against
Scarborough at Windham High School on Saturday,
May 29. Windham won, 7-4.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

By Matt Pascarella

In Windham’s junior varsity girls’ lacrosse matchup against Scarborough on May 29, the Lady Eagles hit the field with severe intensity and showed the Red Storm early in the game that they came to win.

Throughout the game, Windham gained possessions and scored goal after goal after goal. Their defense blocked Scarborough from getting many in the net and at the buzzer Windham posted an impressive 7-4 victory.

The Lady Eagles wasted no time at the start of the game. They gained possession early on and went right to Scarborough’s goal and took the shot. Windham was aggressive and remained so for 50 minutes.

Windham had multiple shots on Scarborough’s goal in the first few minutes of play. Windham worked hard and succeeded to be first to the ball. Windham freshman Casey O’Connell fired the ball between the posts for their first goal.

Windham freshman Mallory Muse was next to score, followed by sophomore Emma Morrison.  The Lady Eagles pressured Scarborough and got several turnovers which gave Windham the ball. The Lady Eagles had excellent passing and worked very well together. At the half, Windham had a 3-1 lead.

“This has been one of the biggest transformations in a team I have seen in my eight years of coaching,” said Windham JV coach Meg Flannagan. “Watching them make adjustments mid-game ... they’re on it, they’re able to do it right away. They’ve come a long way.”

Flannagan added Windham made adjustments in pressuring Scarborough’s attack causing Windham’s defense to take away Scarborough’s strong side. This caused a lot of turnovers in Windham’s favor.

Windham held the ball longer on attack and cleaned up their passes and won 50/50 balls.

There was no lack of intensity as Windham took the field for the second half of the game. Almost immediately, Windham Freshman Marlie Ennis scored. Then Windham sophomore Abbey Thornton put one between the posts.

Windham continued with strong passing and got the ball away from Scarborough.

Scarborough did manage to come back a little, but Windham held them off. Muse scored again. As time ran out for Scarborough, Windham senior Bria Campobasso also put one in the net.

Muse said the team had good hustle and teamwork which was a big part of this win. She said the team has improved a lot since they started, and they have had a really good season. <

Jordan-Small baseball squad shows strength against Waynflete

Raymond seventh grader Jacob Buckley bats
during a baseball game against Waynflete at
Jordan-Small Middle School in Raymond on
Friday, May 28. Buckley singled in the first
and third innings and scored on both of those
innings. Raymond put in a solid effort, but
Waynflete took a 19-6 win.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA   

By Matt Pascarella

As the season nears its end, Raymond’s Jordan-Small Middle School baseball team wanted to show what it could do when matched up against Waynflete at Raymond on Friday, May 28.

Waynflete jumped to an early lead, but Raymond’s offense proved to be tough to hold down and forced a tie. Although Waynflete slowly pulled away, Raymond wasn’t far behind and the Jordan-Small Middle School team stole several bases, exhibited some great skill batting and turned in some nice fielding. Despite a strong effort shown by Raymond, Waynflete pulled away and won 19-6.

In the top of the first, Waynflete loaded up the bases and got a grand slam which brought in four runs. There was some impressive fielding from Raymond eighth grader Josh Plummer who got a double play by catching the ball and then tagged a runner headed to second base. Plummer later tagged out another runner who had taken a lead off first base.

In the bottom of the first inning, Raymond eighth grader Griffin Richmond doubled. Raymond seventh grader Eli Powers walked and then seventh grader Jacob Buckley singled. Richmond scored. Plummer doubled and Powers scored. Raymond eighth grader Erik Dupont ripped a long ball into the outfield and was thrown out on his way to second base. However, this brought in Buckley and Plummer who scored. The game was tied at four after one inning.

In the bottom of the third inning, Waynflete went up 10-4 but Jordan-Small attempted a rally. Raymond’s Buckley smashed the ball to get on base for a single. Plummer crushed the ball and tripled. Buckley scored. Later in the inning, Plummer stole home. Raymond had made progress, with the score now 10-6, Waynflete.

As the innings progressed, Waynflete pulled away and while Raymond put in a solid effort, they could not catch their opponent.

“We are improving on what we do as a whole,” said Raymond’s Jordan-Small Middle School coach Jim Beers. “They are getting better at knowing the game. In four games we’ve come a long way.”

Plummer said he did well with his pitching, and he did ok with fielding and batting. He did mention an error at shortstop, but other than that he said he thought he played well overall.

Plummer said that there are a lot of inexperienced players on the team and everyone, including him, needed to work on their own skills. Yet, overall, he thought the team did okay this season. <