Windham varsity baseball shows promise in preseason game

Windham junior Logan Marden is ready to make the tag at
third base during a preseason varsity baseball game against
Sacopee Valley at Windham on Tuesday, April 12.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

By Matt Pascarella

The Windham High School varsity baseball team came within one run of the Sacopee Valley Hawks during a preseason game at home on Tuesday, April 12.

Sacopee Valley scored one run in the third inning, and the Eagles were quick to answer when they had a mini slugfest in the bottom of the fourth inning which drove in two runs and gave Windham the lead.

Although Sacopee Valley was able to sneak in the tie-breaking run, to win 3-2, Windham did a good job defensively. Players were put all over the field and adjusted well to being in many different positions as they made several great plays.

"Our at-bats were okay, we really weren’t aggressive enough early in the count,” said Windham varsity baseball coach Cody Dube. “Pitchers did a great job, they threw the ball over the plate and let our defense work. It was a positive day.”

Windham junior Blake Peeples thought the team did very well against Sacopee Valley. He thought Windham needed to communicate more but said they did well getting on base and fielding in the outfield, as well as getting groundballs to first base and making connections.

In the top of the first inning, the Hawks had two runners in scoring positions and the Eagles ended the inning with those runners stranded and unable to score.

Windham started slow offensively, but kept Sacopee Valley scoreless until the top of the third inning when the Hawks drove in a single run.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Windham junior Alex “Bob” Wing singled. An out at first, advanced Wing to second.

Windham senior Colby Raynor singled; then advanced to second. Another base hit and Wing tied the game.

Raynor scored on a passed ball. Now, Windham was ahead 2-1.

Sacopee Valley wasted no time as they tied the game up in the top of the fifth inning at two. The Eagles defense shut down any further scoring opportunities the Hawks had that inning. 

Windham defense kept it up in the sixth inning when catcher Raynor stopped a runner headed to home.

In an unusual play where a Sacopee Valley runner stopped halfway down the third base line, the Hawks were able to edge out ahead.

"We played good as a team,” said Windham sophomore Login Desrochers. “We got to work on signs and getting to know the plays a little better. We had a couple screw-ups, but overall, it’s going to get better as we play more together.” <