Windham boys’ first team lacrosse avoids shutout against Falmouth

By Matt Pascarella

Windham’s first team boys’ lacrosse played Falmouth at home on Monday, May 22 and while the game was not the outcome the Eagles wanted in an 11-1 loss, Windham battled it out until the final buzzer and prevented Falmouth from obtaining a shutout victory when Windham sophomore Jack Arsenault scored in the fourth quarter.

Windham sophomore Jack Arsenault gets ready to fire a shot
that goes between the goal posts during a boys' first team
lacrosse game against Falmouth on Monday, May 22.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

“As a team we played really pretty well moving the ball,” said Arsenault. “In the second half we really pushed ourselves to get back on the scoreboard; I know my teammates were working hard.”

Arsenault said that his goal was a result of taking shots in practice and his teammates making good passes and working on ground balls.

Windham took the field with intensity. Falmouth scored early; Windham gave 100 percent on the field. They stayed with and went hard after the ball and took several shots at goal. Falmouth scored a few more times in the half, but Windham kept the pressure on.

Windham freshman goalie Lucas Baratta recorded many great saves throughout the game.

Baratta said his mentality going into this game was to do his best. It’s a rough loss, but the best thing you can do is not take it too hard; Windham has more games coming up. Baratta said it was hard as Falmouth pulled ahead, but he didn’t let the score impede his effort at goal. He thought teamwork went well. Windham had some nice defensive looks; their clears were nice, and the offense moved the ball around well.

Windham had several solid checks that either blocked scoring opportunities for Falmouth or slowed them. Falmouth led 6-0 halfway through.

Falmouth scored early in the second half, but Windham kept their heads up. Windham fought hard and stuck with the ball. Windham defense almost grinded Falmouth offense to a halt in the third quarter when they let only one goal in.

“It’s not the outcome we wanted going into this, but as a team, we really buckled down when it counted,” said Windham sophomore Maxfield Genthner. “We played a lot of good defense; we had a lot of good looks on our clears and overall, I think we’re going to do a lot better next time.”

Roughly partway through the fourth quarter, Arsenault took a shot from the sideline that found the back of the net.

“One of the greatest things we’ve had this year is that no matter how down we are, we play the same,” said Windham boys’ first team lacrosse coach Seth Fournier. “We’re trying to teach the kids a little bit of discipline and trying to make sure they’re playing the whole game regardless of the outcome.”

One of the things Fournier said Windham needed to work on was their transition game – they lost the ball in the midfield a lot. They need to slow down and continue to build on some fundamental stuff as they progress to the end of the season.

Fournier said Windham was scrapping until the last five seconds of the game and that’s something he is proud of and appreciates about this group of kids.<

Windham Middle School eighth grade softball speeds past Lewiston

By Matt Pascarella

The Windham Middle School eighth grade softball team hit the road to play Lewiston on Friday, May 19. Windham held a 9-1 lead over the Blue Devils halfway through the fourth inning, but a small surge for Lewiston tied the game 9-9. This only motivated Windham more to come back and show their strength as they eventually won, 18-10.

Windham seventh grader Josephine Morine gets a piece of the
ball on Friday, May 19 during a softball game against
Lewiston. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

“We battled really well,” said Windham eighth grader Evelyn Anderson.

“Even when our pitchers were down, our infield really held up well; we played a good game. Our bats were on fire, and I think we really held together in the infield and made some great plays.”

In the first inning, Kaylee Napolitano got it going with a ground ball hit. She then reached second base because of an error. After a walk, seventh grader Eliana Kostopoulos blasted the ball to center field and reached third on an error. She later scored and Windham led 3-0.

In the top of the third inning, Kiley Card singled, and Kostopoulos doubled. Card scored and Windham was up by five.

"We ended up battling back really well,” said Card. “We just worked together ... we had some really good, heads-up plays; if there was a runner at first and second and there was a force at third, we would talk and know where to go with that heads-up play.”

Card said these plays coupled with hitting and the energy from the dugout led to the win.

In the top of the fourth inning, Josslyn Dionne, Aubrey Turcotte and seventh grader Sitota Hatch all walked. Turcotte scored on an error. Sarah Smyth walked. Napolitano singled and Hatch and Smyth scored. Windham, 9-1.

Lewiston made a comeback in the bottom of the fourth inning and tied the game 9-9.

This ignited Windham’s fire, and they really got the bats going. Anderson hit an in-the-park homerun. Seventh grader Evelyn Robinson reached second on a pop fly. A walk and Jaden Kennedy grounded out but brought home Robinson. A wild pitch brought in seventh grader Josephine Morin.

“Whenever we’re down you have to trust your players and play your game how you play it,” said Anderson.

From this point on Windham defense only allowed Lewiston to score one more run.

In the top of the sixth inning, Napolitano singled, Card walked, Kostopoulos singled. Anderson hit another in-the-park homerun and knocked in four runs. Robinson and Morin scored after Robinson walked, Morin doubled and Kennedy singled.

Napolitano, who closed out the game pitching, concentrated on throwing strikes, but said she knew that her teammates were capable of getting the outs if the ball was hit. She said they battled hard and while they had a little bit of a downfall in the fourth inning, they were able to pick it back up.

Some things Napolitano thought went well in this game were team optimism and staying focused on the game.

Windham Middle School softball coach Laney Worthington said she told the team to light up the bats and put flames on the cleats after that tough fourth inning, and that’s exactly what Windham did.

Worthington said WMS pitching, fielding, team unity and sportsmanship all exceeded expectations against Lewiston. <

WMS eighth-grade baseball holds on to defeat Moore

By Matt Pascarella

In a game that started as a bit of a runaway for Windham Middle School became a lot closer when the eighth baseball team played Moore Middle School at Windham on Friday, May 12. Windham jumped to a 6-0 lead after one inning and defense kept Moore scoreless for more of the game. But Moore scored four runs in the fifth inning and steadily added runs until the end. Windham prevented Moore taking the lead and held on for a 9-8 win.

Windham Middle School eighth grade pitcher Colin Janvrin
keeps his eye on the strike zone before throwing a pitch
during a game against Moore on Friday, May 12. 
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

Windham eighth grade baseball coach Adam Manzo said he told the team at the beginning of the season, that if they minimize mistakes and pitchers throw strikes, they could do well. Manzo said the first inning’s runs set Windham’s tone for the game.

After the fifth inning, the ball got away from them and errors and a couple walks late in the game hurt. The kids stick with it and were able to grind it out and finish; and Manzo said it was nice to get another win.

Windham defense started the game strong with three consecutive Moore batters sent back to the dugout.

In the bottom of the first inning, Caleb Hayman walked. Seventh grader Mason Rulman singled and brought in Hayman. Bradyn Woodward walked, and seventh grader Patrick Davenport got on base after being hit with a pitch. Colin Janvrin hit a ground ball and reached first base. Woodward and Davenport scored. Ronin Rotaru hit a ground ball and also reached first base on an error. Kellen Gardiner walked, and bases are loaded. Sam Redlon singled and Janvrin and Rotaru scored. Two more walks and Windham led 6-0 after one inning.

Janvrin’s pitching and Windham defense made it difficult for Moore to gain much traction. He pitched six innings and said he trusted his team to make good plays. He said there was good fielding, they ran the bases hard and hit well.

In the bottom of the third inning, Rotaru doubled. Gardiner grounded out, but Rotaru scored.

Hayman doubled in the bottom of the fourth inning; then Alex Pastore is hit by a pitch. Rulman singled and Hayman and Pastore scored.

Moore scored four runs in the top of the fifth inning.

In the top of the seventh inning, it was 9-5, Windham. Moore chipped away and scored another three runs, but Windham prevented further scoring and held onto their win.

Rulman closed the game on the mound in his first time pitching for the eighth grade team. He said it felt pretty good. Rulman said they hit well and made good plays in the field.

“We all had a good start to the game ... we came through and won; it was a good game, good teamwork, good everything,” said Pastore. “Good job to my boys.”

Pastore said Windham had good hitting and good teamwork.

“Overall, I think we have a pretty strong group, they’re resilient,” said Manzo. “They don’t get bothered ... they didn’t get down on themselves or the team. They play so much baseball they know what it takes to get it done.” <

Despite loss to Kennebunk, Windham boys’ tennis continues to improve

By Matt Pascarella

As the season is about to end, the Windham boys’ tennis team recently broke a five-game losing streak with back-to-back wins against Marshwood and then Biddeford. As they prepared for a home match against Kennebunk on Tuesday, May 16, their attitude was positive and Windham players were looking to make individual improvements and went hard against the Rams. Windham put in a solid effort but fell, 5-0.

Windham High senior Pedro Nascimento sends the ball over
the net with force during a match against Kennebunk on
Tuesday, May 16 at Windham.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

Windham boys’ tennis coach Garry Stone said he’s thrilled with the team getting better. Before the match with Kennebunk, he told the team to go out, have fun and compete. Stone said that he liked that the doubles and individuals all battled against a tough team. He was encouraged that the team was right in the thick of it. Windham has continued to improve, and the season isn’t finished yet.

Regardless of the score, Stone said a positive takeaway from this match was no one hung their head, and everyone gave their all. Windham racked up points in third singles and second doubles matches. Stone said although the score tells one story, from his vantage point he knows the team did their best. They are a positive group that loves the game.

In the singles sets, Windham sophomore Diego Lopez lost 0-6 and 0-6.

“I knew that they were really, really good players,” said Lopez. “I tried to do my best and try to take some games, but I had fun. I got a chance to [play] against someone that is better than me ... playing with people that are better than you, you get better.”

Lopez said playing against his Kennebunk opponent highlighted areas where he needs to improve. Lopez will work on these areas to strengthen his game.

In the singles sets, Windham senior Pedro Nascimento lost 0-6 and 0-6. Windham senior Nolan Dries lost 0-6 and 1-6.

In the doubles sets, Windham sophomore Zachary Noonan and freshman Nolan McPhail lost 0-6 and 0-6. Windham sophomore Asher Knott and freshman Carter Mathieu lost 1-6 and 2-6.

Noonan wanted to work on teamwork going into his doubles sets. Their main focus was to concentrate on serves and Noonan said they had some good ones. They’ve improved a lot in serving from the start of the season. As a team, they’ve improved with teamwork and communication.

“It was all about personal improvement,” said Knott. “We got some points on them in the second set so we did the best that we could.”

Knott said he was more aware on the court and that any balls that went overhead, Knott was able to have spikes be more accurate in placement. He said some of his and Mathieu’s serves were good and they were able to hold Kennebunk to a game that wasn’t a blowout. <

Windham track and field team finds success at Cheverus meet

By Matt Pascarella

The Windham girls and boys outdoor track and field teams showed strength in a meet against Cheverus, Westbrook and Massabesic at Cheverus on Thursday, May 4. Both Windham teams finished first. The boys had a score of 102 and the girls a score of 121.50.

Windham senior Derrick Stephens leaps over the hurdles
during an outdoor track meet against Cheverus, Westbrook and
Massabesic on Thursday, May 4 at Cheverus High School.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 
 

Boys

“Out of the 38 participants, 37 of them had personal records for the season,” said Windham boys’ outdoor track and field coach Paula Pock. “After working on some technique after our first meet, it really paid off.”

Senior Max Arbour qualified for the state meet and finished first in shot put with a distance of 43-02.00 feet.

Freshman Nick Verrill finished second in the high jump with a height of 5-08.00.

Senior Connor Langstaff finished third in the javelin with a 114-01.00 throw.

Freshman Karl Longstreth qualified for the state meet when he finished third in the 200 with a 24.19 second time and fourth in the 100 with a time of 11.78.

Junior Aiden Hanson finished first in the triple jump with a distance of 36-09.00 and first in the long jump with a distance of 17-10.00. Hanson finished third in the 300 hurdles with a 43.86 time and qualified for the state meet.

Junior Jinqi Li achieved a personal record when he came in second with a height of 9-6.00 in the pole vault.

Li said the 150 pole is the one that got him over and he’s very happy with that. He hadn’t gotten any personal records in the pole vault, so he’s really happy with the improvement. He said the team did great, especially under the dreary weather conditions; Li is happy to be on such a good team.

Senior Scott Ingalls came in first in the discus with a distance of 127-00.00 which was a personal record and qualified him for the state meet.

Sophomore Erik Dupont finished fourth and set a personal record with a javelin throw of 114-01.00.

Dupont set a goal to qualify for states next meet.

Senior Derrick Stephens finished first in the 300 hurdles with a 43.22 time and in the 110 hurdles, Stephens finished second with a time of 16.25.

Girls

The girls are currently undefeated in regular season meets.

Junior Khalysa Hammith finished first in the 100-meter dash with a 13.36 second time. She finished first and qualified for the southwesterns and state meet with a 16-03.00 jump.

Sophomore Ava Gerrity qualified for state and finished first in the high jump with a 4-10.00 height. She was first in the triple jump with a distance of 32-05.50.

Freshman Nealie Morey had a personal record and a second-place finish in the triple jump with a distance of 29-08.50. Morey finished second in the high jump with a 4-06.00 distance. She finished first in her heat of the 400.

"I assumed the people I was racing against were right behind me, so I kept trying to push myself,” said Morey.

Morey was pleased with how she performed during the meet. She knows there are improvements that need to be made that she’ll work on in practice. She said it’s fun to cheer on her teammates and watch them improve all-around.

Freshman Sydney Broadbent qualified for southwesterns in the 200 when she finished sixth with a 29.93 time. She came in second in the 400 with 1:08.29-minute time.

Sophomore Addison Profenno finished first in the 1600 race walk with a 10:26.96 time, which dropped 40 seconds from last week.

During the race, Profenno didn’t know what her pace was. She said knowing she is capable of dropping 30+ seconds from her last meet, she will push extra hard in practice to hopefully accomplish sub-10 minutes in order to be in provisionals for states.

“These players are giving their all yet again,” said Windham girls’ outdoor track and field coach Jeff Riddle. “Our earned results are positively evolving because our young players and veterans alike are building self-confidence and belief and are just so coachable and trusting in what we are offering them.” <

Windham varsity softball shuts out Deering

By Matt Pascarella

The Windham varsity softball team added another “W” to their record, and another shutout when they crushed Deering, at home on Monday, May 8 by a final score of 10-0. While the first couple innings went scoreless, the Lady Eagles got it going in the third inning and from there couldn’t be stopped.

Windham sophomore Stella Jarvais knocks the ball into the
outfield to drive in the last two runs needed to end a varsity
softball game against Deering on Monday, May 8 at
Windham High School. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

“I’ve got a team full of workhorses,” said Windham varsity softball coach Darcey Gardiner. “I’ve got a team full of girls that have a common unspoken goal and on the reverse side of that I have a team who really enjoys supporting each other; that’s a recipe for success right there. I can’t say enough about the work ethic they come with everyday and put it into practice.”

Sophomore Kennedy Kimball only let in two hits, struck out 13 batters and walked no one.

After 2 ½ somewhat uneventful innings, Windham showed their strength in the bottom of the third inning. Two walks and junior Brooke Gerry singled to drive in senior Hannah Heanssler. Sophomore Stella Jarvais singled, but made it to third base on an error. Sophomore Chloe Edwards and Gerry scored. Kimball singled and Jarvais scored. Senior Reilly Russell doubled, and pinch runner freshman Lacie Higgins scored; Windham led 5-0.

“We knew Deering from last year, so we tried to ... push ourselves to be better,” said Kimball. “My mindset was to stay calm and include different spin pitches and throw outside of my comfort zone and Stella was helping me with that.”

Kimball said she and Jarvais worked through off speeds and figured out a few Deering batters and they talked in between innings about how they felt about the batters. Once they settled into the game and had seen all the Deering batters, they got more comfortable and confident. Kimball said communication and everyone contributing led to the win.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Edwards crushed a ball to right field that cleared the fence and then some for a stellar homerun.

“I’ve been waiting for [the right pitch] to come,” said Edwards. “I don’t rush it, I’ve been waiting for it to come, so it was very exciting.”

Edwards said the team was the reason for the win. They all put in effort and were loud in the dugout. Edwards said there is a lot of skill on the team who have been playing together since they were little. Edwards said Kimball pitched well and defense made good plays along with strong team communication.

Gerry singled, then freshman Addison Caiazzo singled, and reached second on an error; Gerry scored. Kimball singled and Caiazzo scored.

Kimball sent three consecutive batters back to the dugout at the top of the fifth inning.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Gerry walked and sophomore Addison Leger singled. Jarvais hit a line drive to right field and Gerry and Leger scored.

Gardiner said she doesn’t have to tell this team to work harder because of the goals they have as individuals and as a team. She said Kimball’s pitching and Jarvais’s catching were highlights. They are working on getting Jarvais the confidence to call the pitches and Gardiner thought Jarvais did a phenomenal job. Once Windham got their timing down at the plate, good things happened. <

Windham Little League baseball and softball off to great start in season openers

By Matt Pascarella

Windham Little League launched its 2023 season with opening day ceremonies for majors and minors divisions and ceremonies for coach pitch and T-ball divisions at Ciccerone Field at Lowell Farm in Windham on Saturday, April 29.

Windham Little League baseball fifth grader Kyle Kunath of
RaveX makes a throw to the infield at Ciccerone Field at
Lowell Farm in Windham on opening day in a game against
CR Tandberg on Saturday, April 29.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA  

Majors Division baseball teams CR Tandberg and RaveX were the first to play. Each team did well, but CR Tandberg posted a 15-1 win. In Majors Division softball, Windham Rental and Bill Diamond played a close game, but Bill Diamond edged ahead for a 10-9 victory.

Majors Baseball

CR Tandberg sixth grader Ryan Manning crushed a line drive in the first inning and reached second base. Sixth grader Sullivan Nappi singled and Manning scored.

Nappi’s pitching played a part in CR Tandberg’s win.

In the second inning, fourth grader Cody Devoid singled; sixth grader Brady Legere singled. Manning singled and Devoid and Legere scored. After a walk, sixth grader Joey Small reached first base; Manning scored. Fifth grader Wyatt Miller walked; Nappi scored and CR Tandberg led, 5-0.

RaveX fourth grader Wesson LeDuc knocked a solid ground ball to the shortstop and reached first base.

In the bottom of the third inning, RaveX sixth grader Cody Ruth singled. He stole his way around the bases and scored to prevent a shutout.

In the fifth inning, fifth grader Nolan Harvie doubled and brought home Nappi and Small. A series of hits brought in five runs for CR Tandberg.

RaveX’s fifth grader Troy Utterson singled. Ruth singled. Unfortunately, they were left on base.

“We had a good game with some positives and some things that we need to work on,” said RaveX coach Ralph Gallagher.

Gallagher said that with limited practices, they had a lot of younger guys make some good plays. He looks forward to the improvements to come and to watch the kids grow during the season.

CR Tandberg’s Nappi said it felt good to get the win. The win was a result of getting the bat on the ball, staying back on pitches, and having good heads-up baserunning. Everyone on their team contributed.

“I think a lot of things that the kids have been working on paid off today,” said CR Tandberg coach Mike Manning. “Getting down on ground balls, being aggressive at the plate, backing each other up and running the bases hard. The kids did what we practiced and all of it showed up today; I’m proud of them.”

Majors Softball

Bill Diamond Fifth grader Julia Call walked and later scored in the first inning when seventh grader Evelyn Robinson reached first base. Robinson stole home. Sixth grader Niyah Cummings walked and also stole home after fifth grader Acadia Vingers Sirous walked.

In the top of the second, Windham Rental fourth grader Ava Kostopoulos walked. Sixth grader Peyton McLean singled, fifth grader Avery Hawkins singled. After a ground out, Kostopoulos scored.

In the third inning, Windham Rental fourth grader Madison Kennedy was hit by a pitch, then sixth grader Audrey Libby walked. Sixth grader Courtney Cotter walked. Kennedy scored after sixth grader Layla Pinto was hit by a pitch. Libby scored on a wild pitch; Cotter scored on a passed ball. Seventh grader Eliana ‘Yani’ Kostopoulos singled and Pinto scored. Windham Rental led 5-3.

Bill Diamond fifth grader Madelyn Royer scored on a passed ball after she singled.

In the fifth inning, Windham Rental’s Libby walked and scored on a passed ball. The game was tied, 8-8.

Bill Diamond’s Royer was hit by a pitch and sixth grader Ella Muehle walked. Royer scored when sixth grader Gianna Lane reached first base. Bill Diamond led by one run.

In the sixth inning, McLean and Hawkins walked. Legere singled and McLean tied the game, 9-9.

Bill Diamond’s Robinson walked. She stole her way around the diamond and eventually scored the game-winning run.

Robinson said hitting the ball, sliding and base-stealing contributed to the win; she thought the team did really well in its first game.

Bill Diamond coach Mark York said this was their first game using strategic baserunning. York said the team’s baserunning and playing within their positions went well. They kept their heads up and were patient.

“We either win or we learn and either way we’re going to learn,” Windham Rental coach Gina Kostopoulos. “It’s a good inner-city challenge and I’m proud of them ... it was a good learning experience.”<

Windham girls’ tennis remains undefeated by defeating Bonny Eagle

By Matt Pascarella

Coming off back-to-back wins against Westbrook and Deering, the Windham girls’ tennis team played an intense match at Bonny Eagle on Friday, April 28 and walked away with a 4-1 win after the doubles teams had two tiebreaker sets, one which ended in a super tiebreaker.

Windham senior Grace Paiement keeps her focus on the ball
during a girls' prep tennis match against Bonny Eagle at
Bonny Eagle High School on Friday, April 28.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

“The singles players are really strong,” said Windham girls’ tennis coach Katy Dresnok. “Doubles are really close, that’s been really fun; they’re getting really good competition.”

Dresnok said that this year’s team is the best she’s ever had because they all have experience and are able to build on existing skills. It makes such a difference when they can build on skills from year to year. The more time you put into the game, the more it can make a difference.

Windham players were focused and quick on their feet, as they stayed with the ball and put in strong efforts across the board.

In the singles sets, Windham junior Alyssa Conley won her sets, 6-0, and 6-0, senior Grace Paiement won, 6-0, and 6-2. Freshman Jasmine Lucas won, 6-3, and 6-3.

“We were all a little nervous and not really sure what to go in, but I think just staying strong and our team has been working really hard this year,” said Paiement. “I was able to hold her strong and play her out until I could win the point and stay more consistent.”

Paiement said the team played strong against Bonny Eagle.

Lucas said that no matter the strength of the opponent, always do your best. She thought in the second set that mentality was getting away from her, but she was able to get back in the right mindset.

According to Lucas, this was a more competitive match than the previous two matches. Her opponent was a solid player and could really return. Lucas stayed consistent. She said the team did very well.

In the doubles sets, Windham juniors Taylor Juhase and Samantha Bell won, 7-6, and 7-6.

“We started poaching – switching from side to side on our serves and communication has gotten a lot better,” said Juhase. Both Bell and Juhase agreed that Bonny Eagle was an even match for them.

Sophomore Katelyn Cotter and senior Breeauna Bonin played a super tiebreaker but lost 10-12. Their other sets were 6-7 and 6-4.

Cotter said they were a little out of sync in the first set and felt pressured, but once she and Bonin realized they needed to play slower and smarter, it turned their sets around. Team support made a difference during the sets and Bonin thought communication with Cotter during the match was outstanding. <