Windham's 10-12 All-star softball squad soars to state title

Windham's 10-12-year-old All-Star softball team defeated 
Ellsworth, 9-1, in the state championship game on Tuesday,
July 13 in South Berwick. As Maine state champions, Windham
qualified for a berth in the East Regionals on July 24 in
Bristol, Connecticut against the Maryland state champion.
From left are Coach Ronnie Higgins, Lily Gallagher, Kaylee
Napolitano, Kiley Card, Lacie Higgins, Ashley Cloutier,
Belle Pinto, Coach Nick Caiazzo, Addision Caiazzo, Eliana
Kostopoulos, Ava Cole, Evelyn Anderson, Chloe Delewski,
Sarah Smyth, Coach Stephen Napolitano, Maine District 6
administrator Bill Finley, and in front in Evelyn Robinson.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA   

TEAM ADVANCES TO EAST REGIONALS IN CONNECTICUT NEXT WEEKEND 

By Matt Pascarella

This was it, with Windham facing Ellsworth at Aggie Field in South Berwick on July 13 and the state championship on the line for Windham. When all was said and done, Windham Little League’s 10-12-year-old All-Star softball team defeated Ellsworth 12-3 in the first game of the double-elimination state tournament and brought home the state championship banner.

Ellsworth had to beat Windham twice in order to win the title but came up short.

Windham grabbed a 7-1 advantage early on and they maintained a significant lead throughout the game. After six innings Windham won the state championship by a final score of 9-1 and qualify for the East Regional tournament in  Connecticut later this month.

In the top of the first inning, sixth-grader Kaylee Napolitano’s first swing resulted in a double. Seventh-grader Lacie Higgins walked. Napolitano then stole third and scored on a passed ball. After a pickoff attempt at third base, Higgins scored on an error by Ellsworth.

Windham Coach Nick Caiazzo said good Windham teams of the past with great Windham coaches were influential in previous years and especially this year to this All-Star team. Windham coaches Jason McLeod, Kregg Jarvais, Shayne Bryant, Kristen Marden, Shawn Leger, Ryan Edwards, and Jason Elder helped paved the way for wins like this one.

In the second inning, sixth-grader Evelyn Anderson walked, and later stole home on an error by Ellsworth. Fifth-grader Evelyn Robinson and sixth-grader Sarah Smyth walked. Sixth-grader Kiley Card doubled. Napolitano singled and brought home Smyth and Card.

Seventh-grader Addison Caiazzo tripled on a fly ball to right field in the second inning, scoring Napolitano. Fifth-grader Eliana Kostopoulos singled on a ground ball to third base and brought in Caiazzo. Windham led 7-1 after two innings.

Higgins’ pitching coupled with Windham’s infield and outfield showed strong defense against Ellsworth and many innings consisted of only three opposing batters coming to the plate to bat.

“It’s amazing; it’s like the next level,” said Higgins. “I’m confident in myself,” which made it easy to shake off any nerves. “I’m so excited (for regionals); we’re going to be on TV!”

In the fourth inning, Windham did not stop. Higgins and Caiazzo both singled. Kostopoulos singled and loaded the bases. Seventh-grader Chloe Delewski smashed a ground ball to center and two runs came in.

In the bottom of the sixth, Caiazzo was pitching, and an Ellsworth batter hit a pop fly to sixth-grader Lily Gallagher who made the catch. That was followed with a strikeout before Ellsworth got and Caiazzo recorded yet another strikeout as Windham officially earned the title of state champions.

Addison Caiazzo said the game was exciting and Windham played well as a team, but because it was a championship game, she was a little nervous. But she knew she could rely on her teammates to help out.

Anderson, who caught for Higgins and Caiazzo, said she had faith in her pitchers. Anderson was glad the team has made it this far and said it felt amazing to win a state championship. She’s excited for the next step.

“The win is a by-product of ... these kids going five days a week,” said Coach Caiazzo.  They’ve put the time, effort, and energy ... and they’ve been terrific. It’s nice because you like to be able to see the reward of the effort, that they’ve put in.”

Windham will now head to Bristol, Connecticut where they will represent Maine in the Little League Softball East Regional game against Maryland at 4 p.m. July 24. <