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. <