Windham varsity softball squashes Portland/Deering in shutout game

By Matt Pascarella

Windham softball played Portland/Deering at Windham on Tuesday, May 13 and the Lady Eagles enjoyed an extremely strong start as they scored 10 runs in the first inning. They did not let up until the last Lady Eagle crossed the plate for a notable 15-0 win.

Windham junior Jezabelle Pinto connects for a hit during a
prep softball game at Windham High School on Tuesday,
May 13. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA  

“It was a little nerve-racking but exciting,” said Windham senior Lydia Marden who got her first varsity start in the circle; she had five strikeouts, let up one hit with no walks or errors. “I was really excited for this game; I got more confident as the innings went on, I started throwing a little harder and mixing pitches more. I feel like our pre-game energy was good. I think we need to talk a little more in the field, but in the dugout, we’ve been talking a lot and supporting each other. Nola’s catch in the outfield was amazing and everyone was super hyped for that. We’re going to continue to carry that energy through playoffs.”

Windham had a powerhouse first inning with junior Addison Caiazzo who singled on a bunt, then senior Stella Jarvais crushed the ball to center field. Senior Kennedy Kimball walked and after junior Oakley McLeod singled, Caiazzo scored.

From that point on, it was a revolving door of hits and Windham crossing home plate. Marden singled and courtesy runner sophomore Evelyn Anderson scored. Junior Lacie Higgins singled and McLeod scored.

Seven more runners crossed the plate before the end of the inning.

Windham defense wasn’t letting any runs, or many Portland/Deering hits in throughout the game. They sent three consecutive batters back to the dugout in the second inning.

In the third inning, Windham sophomore Sarah Smyth bunted and reached first base on an error. Sophomore Abhilasha Jain walked.

Windham junior Jezabelle Pinto singled; junior Lacie Higgins singled. Smyth and Jain scored. Higgins scored on a wild pitch; Windham led 14-0.

In the top of the fourth inning junior Nola Bryant made an incredible diving catch from center field.

“With the diving catches, that was my second one of the year, it’s me just wanting to have my pitcher’s backs and give them less hits in a game,” said Bryant. “It really makes the whole team hyped up when I make those catches; I love having my team’s back and making those plays. We were motivated to come in and win today; We started high, and we kept it up at a high the whole game. I think that we could definitely sit back on pitches – that needs improvement – wait a little bit longer with the slower pitching. What we did well was cheering our teammates on with the successes, we had our pitcher’s back really well and made all of the routine plays, I think that was very good.”

Marden crossed the plate in the fourth inning to end the game.

“I really challenged my batters to see how much of a disciplined batter they can be,” said Windham varsity softball coach Darcey Gardiner. “Can they stay back on their legs long enough, can they let that ball travel deeper in the zone, or are we going to be swinging out of our shoes trying to hit homeruns and swinging way early? I was really proud to see the adjustments they made from one pitcher yesterday (against Cheverus) to another pitcher today. All five seniors started today, and they have come into this year with this is all business. You had Lydia Marden getting her first varsity start out there in the circle; to see her teammates pump her up, that is everything you can ask and more. The score doesn’t show it, but for her to keep her composure not only in the circle but also up to bat, she was absolutely phenomenal today.”

Gardiner said it was nice to see both under and upperclassmen supporting each other and keeping the energy up throughout the game. <