Windham falls to Cheverus in extra innings in regional softball title game

By Matt Pascarella

In the Class A South regional final playoff game, two juggernaut teams of first-place Windham and second-place Cheverus met for the second time this season on Tuesday, June 11 at the University of Southern Maine in Gorham. In what can only be described as an impressive battle of skill and defense, both teams went nine scoreless innings before Cheverus knocked in two runs in the 10th inning and won, 2-0.

Windham junior Kyla Harvie makes a great catch up
against the outfield wall at the University of Southern
Maine in Gorham during the Class A South Regional
Softball title game against Cheverus on Tuesday, June 11.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

“What a softball game tonight was,” said Windham varsity softball coach Darcey Gardiner. “Two of the best teams in the state of Maine played tonight and it showed. I think our game plan was to go in and try to attack Cheverus pitcher Deroche. She came in ready to go; for Brooke Gerry to be able to go out like that with 21 strikeouts, it proves what an athlete she is. Our biggest standout is confidence; we saw a lot of players come out of their shell. I have to give all the credit in the world to Stella Jarvais, there is no other catcher I’d want behind the plate; she has consistently called the game through our season and into these playoffs. I think the world of her, and my assistant and I rely on her a lot and she really came through big tonight. Our defense was great, our composure was great, I thought we took Deroche into some deep counts, I wish we hadn’t watched so many strike threes; if we’re going to strikeout, I’d like us to strikeout swinging. Swinging the bat would have made a difference.”

Windham shut down Cheverus in the first inning, sending all three batters back to the dugout. Of senior Brooke Gerry’s 159 pitches in the game, 109 of them were strikes. Gerry also singled in the first inning but was caught stealing second base.

“They’re pretty solid throughout the line up, so calling the game I knew was going to be tricky,” said Windham junior Stella Jarvais. “I think it just came down to watching if Cheverus batters were on time or not and being able to call what I saw best for that player from previous experience and take that into the game. Being able to see everything helps as we went through the lineup multiple times it was a lot easier to pick up on weaknesses and swings. I like to refer to this team as my family and play for them; being able to get to a regional final with [this team] is everything. I’m proud of everyone on the team; I can’t imagine being on a different team than them. Looking back at this game it’s not what we wanted, but we played so hard – it’s so hard going 10 innings – I’m so proud of how we handled everything.”

In the third inning, junior Kyla Harvie had a stellar catch against the right outfield wall.

In the sixth inning, Cheverus loaded the bases, but Gerry left all runners on base as the inning ended.

After Gerry walked in the sixth inning, sophomore Addison Caiazzo singled, but both runners were left on base.

“I just kept having to throw strikes and trust my defense behind me,” said Gerry. “We talk a lot about trusting our defense and trusting within each other. I had to lock down, I had to throw strikes, I had to throw my spins; I couldn’t leave anything over the middle, and I couldn’t play into their powerhouse. We battled to the end, to the very last swing, to the very last pitch; We never let off. I’m very proud of what I did out there; I’m very proud of this team and I think they’re going to be good for a long time.”

Gerry said Windham swung at a lot of high pitches but being disciplined at the plate could have really helped.

In the 10th inning, Cheverus got a couple hits after a runner was placed at second base.

“Hats off to Cheverus, they had very timely hitting tonight, and that was something we couldn’t pull through with,” said Gardiner. “Love to see this kind of support for female athletes.”<