Windham softball All-Stars start tourney with shutout win

By Matt Pascarella 

Windham's Evelyn Robinson bats during a Majors Division
All-Star tournament softball game against Portland at
the Westbrook Little League Complex on June 22.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

The 2022 Windham Little League Majors Division All-Stars team began the Division 6 tournament with a huge 11-0 win over Portland at the Westbrook Little League Complex on Wednesday, June 22.

Windham scored six runs in the first inning and put five more across home plate in the third inning. Portland was given one more chance to come back, but the Windham defense was too powerful, and ended the game early after three and a half innings.

Seventh-grader Ava Cole pitched a very strong game denying Portland any hits. She struck out nine batters and walked none.

Windham Majors Division All-Star softball coach Stephen Napolitano said the team had put in a fantastic effort and came ready to play. He said their pitching was outstanding, and so was Windham’s base running and defense. 

In the first inning, Windham’s defense started strong and ended the inning with runners on base. 

In the bottom of the first inning, Windham seventh-grader Kaylee Napolitano reached base on a dropped third strike. She stole her way around the bases and scored.

Cole then reached on a dropped third strike. Sixth-grader Eliana Kostopoulos singled to center field and Cole scored. Seventh-grader Evelyn Anderson singled and Kostopoulos scored.

Windham seventh-graders Kiley Card and Lily Gallagher then singled. Card later scored and Gallagher also scored.

The Windham defense hardly wavered. Cole struck out three batters in the top of the second inning. Portland grounded out three consecutive times in the top of the third inning and had a fly out and two strikeouts in the top of the fourth inning.

Cole said she was nervous going in, but as soon as the first inning was over that nervousness was gone. She knew Windham had to keep their heads up and try their best.

In the third inning, Anderson walked, Card singled, and Anderson scored. Gallagher singled. Windham seventh-grader Jaden Kennedy walked loading the bases.

Windham fifth-grader Layla Pinto then grounded into a fielder’s choice with the bases still loaded.

Windham seventh-grader Sarah Smyth hit a grounder and reached first base as Gallagher and Kennedy scored. Pinto stole home and Napolitano singled, scoring Smyth.

Kaylee Napolitano said that going into the game, she simply wanted to do her best. She was trying to adjust to the pitcher and that the team had good energy. Her hit in the third inning was decent and helped her mindset.

Cole was named MVP for the game and said it felt awesome to get that recognition. <