Windham girls’ lacrosse falls to Thornton Academy in divisional title game

By Matt Pascarella

In the girls’ lacrosse divisional championship game, third-place Windham traveled to Thornton Academy in Saco to take on second-place Thornton Academy on Wednesday, July 17. Thornton Academy jumped out in front early in the first quarter and had a big lead, but Windham worked to catch up, as the Trojans stayed out in front for most of the game and won, 11-8.

Windham senior Mady Donnelly keeps possession of the
ball as she looks to pass during the girls' lacrosse 
divisional final against Thornton Academy in Saco on
Wednesday, June 17. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

The Eagles came out aggressively in the game and were first to the ball early in the first quarter. Both teams had tough defense, but Thornton Academy took a 5-0 lead after the first quarter.

Windham would not be held back. Roy scored in the second quarter, yet the Trojans’ offense was strong. Windham senior Abby Trainor then scored, followed by senior Neve Ledbetter.

At intermission, Thornton Academy led, 8-3.

Roy scored early in the second quarter. Then senior Mady Donnelly scored. Roy scored once more. After three quarters of play, Windham trailed by four.

The WHS defense would not allow many more goals during the fourth quarter. With the clock ticking down, Roy scored, then Ledbetter.

“We really tried to hammer down our defense,” said Windham sophomore Brooklyn Roy, who scored four times during the game. “We all really gave it our all out there. We made a lot of good defensive stops. Turnovers (really hurt us). Our work ethic stands out when I look back on the season. Everyone is so tight and close, and we all wanted the same goal at the end. And Coach Perkins helped us every single day.”

Ledbetter said that the team’s grit and determination to pull themselves back into the game after being down was impressive. They forced turnovers and believed in themselves. Thornton Academy is a well-coached team, and they play with energy and effort which made the biggest difference during the game.

She said Windham could have tightened the goal differential to keep themselves within reach, and their pass selection could have been better. Windham played hard and worked hard during all of their practices throughout the season and they are a close team.

“We had to use everybody, and we were trying to get multiple people to score; we had to execute,” said Windham varsity girls’ lacrosse coach Matt Perkins. “(Early on) we had a lot of unforced errors and turnovers which gave Thornton Academy multiple opportunities and that caught up to us. Turnovers definitely got us ... but we clawed our way back and the kids did not back down, they just battled to the end, and they are a special group. The way they treat each other and commit and act. We’ve been in the Final Four three years in a row and it’s been a relentless effort, and they’ve been an absolute blast to be around.” <

  

WHS varsity baseball’s Rulman receives accolades early in athletic career

By Matt Pascarella

During Windham varsity baseball’s awards night at Windham High School on Thursday, June 18, sophomore Mason Rulman received Southern Maine Activities Association First Team All-Conference centerfielder award as well as the team’s Most Valuable Player award, which are strong accomplishments, especially so early in Rulman’s athletic career.

Windham High sophomore Mason Rulman, left, is
congratulated by Windham varsity baseball coach 
Chris Doughty after Rulman was honored with team
MVP and Southern Maine Activities Association
First Team All-Conference centerfielder awards
during the Windham varsity baseball sports banquet
at Windham High on Thursday, June 18.  
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

“As a sophomore being recognized as one of the top nine or 10 players in the most competitive league in the state is remarkable because you’re competing with many juniors and seniors with more experience in varsity baseball,” said Windham varsity baseball coach Chris Doughty. “He was consistently one of the best players in the league all season both offensively and defensively. Mason’s centerfield play was something many coaches talk about around the league. For a player his size to cover the ground he does and make tough plays look easy is very impressive.”

Rulman began playing baseball when he was 5 years old. He would go into his back yard and hit tennis balls as far as he could. From there he fell in love with the sport and played Windham Little League and in middle school before he made the varsity team in his freshman year of high school.

“It means a lot,” said Rulman about winning both awards. “I put a lot of work in over the offseason, to have a big sophomore year and I did. I’m proud of myself for doing that and I’m just glad the coaches believed in me enough to give me the award. I was shocked (to win MVP); I think this shows teams that I’m going to give them my best every time I go onto the field to play; I’m going to work 100 percent every time I go out there to play.”

Doughty said Rulman’s success is a perfect example of what happens when talent meets hard work, determination and good attitude. He said that center field is one of your leaders on the field as a captain and leader of the team and Rulman is the perfect fit to take control of the outfield.

According to Doughty, Rulman’s speed increased over the season, and he anticipates it to continue doing so over the next two years.

“He leads our team and his performance on and off the field sets a good example for us,” said Windham teammate and freshman Ryan Manning. “He sets the level of excellence that we all try to copy. He can pick you up after a bad play in the field but also can give you advice to help your game. His play in the outfield says it all. He can track any ball and throw any kid out. He was very protective on offense with the best batting average on the team.”

Some of Rulman’s impressive statistics include throwing out nine runners from the outfield during the season, as well as having a batting average of .410 and his on-base percentage was .479.

“No one works harder than Mason,” said Doughty. “He plays hard, hustles on and off the field, doesn’t let one failure dictate his mindset and consistently shows up in big moments. His play and leadership are a huge piece in turning around the programs record and culture. His future in baseball is very bright and I’m excited to see where he leads this team the next two years and where this game takes him after.”

Awards like these motivate Rulman to work harder and continue to stay with it, he said. His long-term baseball goals are to continue having success at the varsity level and eventually play at the college level and he’ll see where things go; hopefully make it big. <

Pat Moody 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament showcases skills during Summerfest

By Matt Pascarella

Multiple teams and dozens of kids showcased talent and made friends during Windham Summerfest’s Pat Moody 3-on-3 basketball tournament.

Two-year consecutive fourth- through sixth-grade winners
OG XLP with sixth graders Oliver Baylin, left, Elijah
Aggrey and Elliott Mann hold their trophy after winning 
their bracket in the Pat Moody 3-on-3 basketball
tournament during Windham's Summerfest at 
Windham High School on Saturday, June 20.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

This was the fourth year the 3-on-3 tournament has been held, but the second tournament since it was renamed in honor of the late and great Pat Moody, who believed basketball was vital to the town. This tournament was 100 percent free for all participants and was played at Windham High School on Saturday, June 20.

“We’re just all about the community and I think that represented Pat really well,” said Windham Summerfest Committee member and Pat Moody 3-on-3 organizer Jacob Chouinard. “This year, we had a bigger than expected turnout, as word got out ... the turnout was huge ... and almost as big as last year. We had 15 teams – 66 kids, participation medals and trophies for the winners, plus a free t-shirt for all participants.”

Chouinard grew up in Windham and played basketball for Windham High School. He started with the Summerfest committee as part of his senior capstone project. He was asked by Deb and Tommy Matthews what he thought could make Summerfest bigger and better. Chouinard pitched the idea of a 3-on-3 basketball tournament and both of them loved that idea. Chouinard took the reigns from there and with the help of his friends and family has been running it ever since.

The day after Pat Moody passed away, the Summerfest committee knew they wanted to do something to commemorate him. They knew the most direct connection was through basketball and thought naming the 3-on-3 basketball tournament after him was unbelievably fitting. The fact that they’re giving kids the chance to play for free, was something they believed Moody would love.

“Everyone coming together is the goal of it,” said Chouinard. “All on a volunteer basis and it’s really rewarding; you get the reward from it. Windham is a fast-growing community, I think it’s important for people to sign up to stay close-knit, stay in-touch with one another. Get out, meet people, shake hands, you saw dads and moms meeting each other today (as their kids played).”

The tournament started at Windham Middle School but has been growing so it’s now been moved to the high school.

Windham eighth grader Steven ‘SJ’ DePaolo III says the tournament is a lot of fun with great competition and it’s fun for him to play with his friends, fun to win games and it is just a great time. He said he’ll definitely be back next year to play in the tournament again.

“I like the fun of it and hanging out with my friends ... and respecting Pat Moody,” said Falmouth sixth grader Oliver Baylin. “I like playing with the kids. I like this tournament a lot because everyone is representing Pat Moody. I will totally be back next year.”

While it may be a bit early, Chouinard and many others are already looking forward to next year’s SummerFest Pat Moody 3-on-3 basketball tournament. <

Gorham tops Windham in softball quarterfinal playoff

By Matt Pascarella

Windham High’s varsity softball showed marked improvement since the regular season during its quarterfinal playoff game against Gorham at Gorham High School on Friday, June 12. Windham lost 6-3 despite a final push in the top of the seventh inning.

Windham senior Addison Caiazzo gets a hit early on in the
softball quarterfinals playoff game against Gorham at 
Gorham High School on Friday, June 12.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA  

Windham scored early in the first inning, but Gorham put more runs on the scoreboard in the first and second innings to give them a substantial lead. The Eagles’ defense held back the Rams and kept them scoreless for the remainder of the game, but it wasn’t enough.

“We didn’t start the game where we wanted to, seven walks in the first two innings really hurt us,” said Windham varsity softball coach Darcey Gardiner. “Obviously, you saw the adjustment we made in innings three through seven. There might have been a touch of nerves there, but it was nice to see how well we settled down towards the end of the game. What this team knew more than anything in that seventh inning is there’s no pressure on us; all the pressure is on Gorham and can we put the ball in play to put the pressure on their defense? Our pitching staff this year did phenomenal for us, and they gave us all they could and that’s all we could ask.”

Senior Addison Caiazzo got the game going when she belted a triple to left field. A walk and a hit later, and Caiazzo scored.

Windham gave up four runs in the first inning and another two runs in the second inning but held Gorham there for the remainder of the game.

The third inning yielded a double from Caiazzo, and sophomore Yani Kostopoulos walked. Senior Nola Bryant singled on a pop fly and Caiazzo crossed home plate.

“We really wanted to focus on our energy and our pregame warmup just because we were the underdogs ... we had nothing to lose,” said Bryant. “I saw the effort the girls were putting in around me and ... I think the girls were giving everything they had. We didn’t come out as strong in the first few innings, we threw the ball around for a second, once we got into the third (inning) we had multiple shutdown innings; if we came out stronger, we would have been in a better place. What stands out (about this season) is how bounded our team was and the energy we brought, every practice we had such a fun time. We didn’t want to feel the pressure from last year. We did a really good job (this game) with our at-bats; even if it was a strikeout, it was still a successful at-bat. And even when we would ground out or fly out, we were still moving runners on base.”

The Eagles’ defense was strong and kept the Rams scoreless for three innings.

Junior Abhilasha Jain singled in the seventh inning. Caiazzo doubled. Kostopoulos was intentionally walked. Bryant popped up a sacrifice fly and Jain scored.

"We were really locked in, we were feeling good ... we were coming in as the underdogs,” said Caiazzo. “The first inning we were not defensively where we needed to be, and we kind of knew that. Throughout the game, Gorham didn’t score again, we put some runs on the board. I’m really glad so many of the 2026 class went through the (softball) program (from such a young age). One thing we did really well this game with was talking with each other ... and we always keep the energy up, even when there are rough times, like today, we made it a point to keep our energy up. Coach Darcey really instills in us being there for each other instead of yourself, which has led to our success in the past and this year.” <

WHS falls to Scarborough in boys’ lacrosse playoffs

By Matt Pascarella

Windham’s 11th place varsity boys’ lacrosse team took the lead early in the preliminary playoff game against sixth-place Scarborough at the University of Southern Maine in Gorham on Wednesday, June 10 but it did not take Scarborough long to tie the game. Windham surged in the final moments of the fourth quarter and tied the game 11-11 at the end of regulation but during overtime, Scarborough was quick to score and won, 12-11.

Windham sophomore Luke Hangge surveys his opponents 
before moving around the goal during the boys' lacrosse
preliminary playoff game against Scarborough at the
University of Southern Maine in Gorham on
Wednesday, June 10. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

“All the boys came in thought we were going to win, we got up, everything was high,” said Windham senior Jack Henry. “It was a fun game; it just didn’t go our way. I think we got unlucky, both sides of the ball played super well. Our offensive movement went really well, our defense ... went really well. Shot placement and aggressiveness were good. We have a lot of young guys that are going to be amazing next year, they’re going to prove to everyone that Windham is going to be great.”

At the start of the first quarter Windham sophomore Luke Hangge scored in the first minute. Henry scored twice, followed by Hangge again.

Roughly three minutes into the second quarter Scarborough tied the game 4-4. Windham senior Mason Arbour scored, then junior Luke Drottar scored. The game was tied 6-6. Shortly before the first buzzer, Scarborough broke the tie and led 7-6 at the half.

“We tried to come in confident to boost our intensity, I think all of us felt good,” said Windham junior Tegan Perkins. “Scarborough gave us an offense struggle, but then we clicked and it was head-to-head. Not necessarily (one thing that could have changed the game). We did very well getting man-to-man; we weren’t ball watching at all, we were tight on everybody. We were slower on defense ... our midis were having to get back a little quicker.”

Hangge scored to start the second half. Henry scored, then sophomore Liam Reinbold scored.

Scarborough answered a short time later and the game was tied 9-9 after three quarters. With three minutes of play left, Scarborough led by two goals.

Less than two minutes remained in the game when Hangge scored twice. As the clock ran out the Eagles had forced overtime and tied the game at 11-11.

“In the last two minutes and I just wanted to win the game so bad,” said Hangge. “We tried really hard. We all played an amazing game, especially goalie Zach (Gagne, who had 22 saves). You need to trust each other as teammates and that’s just what we did for this game. There’s not much (more) we could have done. Communication, setting picks on defense, calling out the slide (went well). Sometimes we took shots we shouldn’t have, we’d play five minutes of defense and then come down on offense and take a silly shot. I did that a couple times too. I think we should have possessed a little more when their defense was tired. The camaraderie is the coolest thing about this team ... we work so well together.”

In overtime, Windham was ready. However, 37 seconds in, Scarborough scored.

“Last Thursday and today the belief in each other was strong,” said Windham boys’ lacrosse coach Peter Small. “They knew ahead of time this is going to be a tough game and for 48 minutes it’s about what we are doing and ... you can’t be selfish. These guys believed that they could come back on people. There’s never one thing that led to the loss. If we were to play Scarborough three days from now, there are things in this game that we want to go fix. Windham played hard; I told them, don’t ever play the ‘would of, should of, could of game, play the how do we get better tomorrow game.’ I knew they had heart and they showed it.” <

Trainor shatters state and school girls’ lacrosse records to reach 400 career points

By Matt Pascarella

Windham senior Abby Trainor has broken girls’ lacrosse program records for a majority of her high school career. Trainor scored her 300th career goal – a state and program record – in the final game of the regular season with Scarborough, at Scarborough on Thursday, June 4. Trainor scored 11 goals in the Scarborough game as Windham walloped the Red Storm, 21-10, and the Eagles ended the regular season with a record of 12-2.

Windham senior Abby Trainor takes the shot that would 
become her 300th high school career goal during a
girls' lacrosse game against Scarborough on June 4.
Trainor set a school and state record and also topped
the 400-point milestone against Portland on June 2.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

During a home game against Portland on Tuesday, June 2, Trainor reached the significant marker of 400 career points. Lacrosse points are assists and goals tallied up together.

“It shows the level of confidence and trust I have in my teammates,” said Trainor. “The 400 points is more important because it shows the assists and how I can utilize my teammates, the 300 goals is pretty important because a majority of my goals do come on assists from my teammates. They’re kind of hand in hand. To be from Windham is super special because it shows our program is developing. You can’t get 300 goals by just being on offense. It comes from the defenders who can bring the ball all the way up the field. It comes from everyone; so, to reach 300 goals with all my teammates is super special.”

As the 300-goal milestone got closer, Trainor said it became evident that she was bound to get it and it didn’t matter whether it happened in the regular season or during playoffs. However, now that it’s happened, a bit of that pressure has been taken off her. She said she’s thinking about bigger things, like an upcoming playoff run.

Coming into the Scarborough game, Trainor made sure the focus was on the team and not her. Trainor says she goes into every game just playing how she would normally play. She would rather that everyone play great, well-rounded offense than try to set up isolated plays so that she can score.

At the start of the Scarborough game, Windham jumped way out in front and Trainor and senior Neve Ledbetter scored multiple times. Scarborough was slowly catching up, but Windham remained in the lead.

With 8:23 minutes left in the third quarter, Trainor fired Goal No. 300 past Scarborough’s goalie. Windham was a powerhouse for the remainder of the game, holding back Scarborough as the Eagle’s offense ran up the scoreboard. 

“Her work ethic second-to-none, her determination,” said Windham varsity girls’ lacrosse coach Matt Perkins. “Her grit to work out and get after it all the time, never satisfied with her own performance and tries to elevate those around her. She’s very humble and willing to work and the others are all about it. She and Neve and this senior class have really elevated how we approach practice. The girls are flourishing because of our focus. The idea of never being satisfied is one that’s really helped us, like last year we had never gotten over the hump of the last four games and getting into (the state championship), but that belief that we are good enough, we’re as good as anybody has really changed our attitude.”

Perkins said you cannot overlook how great this team is and how much they care for each other and that’s really impressive.

“I’ve never seen a more hard-working person in my life,” said Windham senior teammate Ledbetter. “She does everything to better herself in every single way possible. She’s a great teammate, she’s a great person; and when it comes to on the field, when she has a goal and she hits that goal she doesn’t give up and exceeds that goal. The normal (number of goals scored by some lacrosse seniors at this point) is 100 and she wanted to make a statement to show she can do hard things and when she puts her mind to something she can achieve it.” <

Girls’ lacrosse knocks out South Portland in preliminary playoff win

By Matt Pascarella

Third-place Windham hosted 14th place South Portland in the varsity girls’ lacrosse Class A preliminary playoff round at Windham High School on Tuesday, June 9. Windham commanded the field for most of the game and will advance to the quarterfinal following a massive 22-2 win over South Portland.

Windham senior Mady Donnelly brings the ball up the
field during a girls' lacrosse preliminary playoff game
against South Portland at Windham High School on
Tuesday, June 9. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA  

The Eagles netted 12 goals in the first quarter alone and Windham defense held back the Red Riots and prevented them from scoring in the second and third quarters.

“We need everybody to contribute offensively, and we had a ton of different people scoring tonight and assists and moving the ball,” said Windham varsity girls’ lacrosse coach Matt Perkins. “Defensively, we had a lot of good checks ... we need everyone to step up and do their role. (Our roles as coaches for the remainder of playoffs) is to highlight our weaknesses and continue to work on them. We want to show them and make sure (our team) understands where we can take advantage of other teams. We went up and down the field passing pretty well. Things we got to work on are being more efficient on (who our opponent is), ‘are they a driving team,’ ‘are they a cutting team’ – so just recognition.”

Windham showed right from the first draw that they came to win. Both offense and defense were incredibly strong throughout the entire game. Defense kept the ball away from the Eagle’s goal and offense brought in one player after another who found the back of the net.

After the first quarter Windham led by 11 goals and at the half the Eagles led by 16 goals, as Windham defense only allowed South Portland a single goal in both the first and fourth quarters.

“There’s no guaranteed next game,” said Windham senior Mady Donnelly, who scored three goals in the first half. “We all wanted to come out together as a strong front and come out hard. Good communication inside and outside of practice (led to the win). Our motto is moving onto the next play, and I think that’s what we did every time; if we messed up, we all were there together. Our approach is to give it our all (for the remaining games). Together as a team we really have to push each other ... if we all support each other and motivate; if we keep doing what we’re doing, I think we got it.”

Despite Windham’s strong lead in the second half, they stayed aggressive. Windham senior Olivia McPherson scored twice at the top of the third quarter, junior Morgan McLain scored. Sophomore Anna Bowie scored in the fourth quarter.

“We went into it like any other game, we weren’t going to play down or expect anything, it’s playoffs, so any team can win,” said Windham sophomore Brooklyn Roy. “We worked hard at practice and prepared. We played hard and gave it our all, no regrets. Everyone’s work ethic led to the win; we had different people in, and we took our starters out after the half. We’re taking it day by day and game-by-game (for the remainder of the playoffs). We’re trying to be focused and working hard, really implementing plays that will help benefit us the most. Playing all the way through and trying to hype everyone up at all times (is always something to work toward improving)”.

Both Donnelly and Roy agree that a second state title is the ultimate goal. <

Windham senior Caiazzo reaches softball milestone of 100 career hits

By Matt Pascarella

Windham softball senior Addison Caiazzo got her 100th high school career hit during a game at Windham High against South Portland on Thursday, May 28. High school career hits are measured only from regular and postseason games from freshman to senior year; preseason games and scrimmages are not part of the count to 100. Aside from Caiazzo reaching this massive accomplishment, Windham squashed South Portland, 12-6.

Windham senior Addison Caiazzo secures hit number
101 of her high school softball career during a game at
Windham High School against South Portland on
Thursday, May 28. Caiazzo got her 100th high
school softball hit during the same game. 
PHOTO  BY MATT PASCARELLA  

“I had a lot of my travel ball friends hit 100 hits recently and it got me to thinking ‘I wonder where I am?’” said Caiazzo. “I didn’t know where I was until middle of the season. I think that’s a big thing, if you think about it, you’re not going to perform how you want to. Coach reminded me today ‘be where your feet are, do what you do, and good things will happen.’ I didn’t think about it (at bat) I just thought keep my front shoulder close and do what I do.”

At the start of this game, Caiazzo’s count was at 98 hits. She doubled in the first inning and then bunted for hit 100 in the second inning. In the fourth inning, she got her 101st hit when she singled in the fourth inning.

“Addie Caiazzo just hit 101 hits in Class A South,” said Windham varsity softball coach Darcey Gardiner. “When you think of the type of pitchers she’s hit off of ... she has faced some big Division 1 pitchers, so to do this in Class A South, it’s another level.”

As of May 29, Caiazzo’s batting average was .652; which is beyond impressive. Gardiner said she’s seen steady improvement in Caiazzo’s hitting since freshman year.

“You never want to be a one-dimensional player,” said Gardiner. “That’s the biggest thing you see with Addie, not only is she a lefty, which gives her an extra tool in the toolbox, she can stand in the exact same place in the box and slap-hit, drag-bunt or hit for power. When you have a player like that that can do any three of those single things on any given single pitch, it’s really hard to defend. Having all those tools in her toolbox has really helped contribute to get where she is today.”

During her freshman season, Caiazzo had 20 hits; sophomore year she had 25 hits, junior year she had 29 hits and senior year as of May 29 she has had 30 hits.

“First year we started working with Addie she was 8 years old,” said Windham varsity softball assistant coach Shayne Bryant, who had previously coached Caiazzo on many teams. “We were called Windham Edge Academy Minors softball ... the next year 9/10-year-old All-Stars all the way to Pennsylvania, the following year, 11/12-year-old All-Stars, at the club level at Maine Thunder. The big thing with Addie is that she has this way of balancing fun and staying focused at the same time; she’s like a big kid. When she hits that field though her determination and confidence and focus is unbelievable.”

Bryant said it’s rewarding to see Caiazzo hit 100 hits, although he said he can’t take much credit for it. She’s an amazing player and has had a lot of good coaches around her, including her own father, but she’s done a lot of it on her own. Bryant said one of the biggest things he sees with Caiazzo is female athletes from ages 5 to 18 love and respect her. Everyone loves her – all the softball players in this town from T-ball to varsity.

“From Little League we’ve always been super successful from All-Stars and the lifetime bond I have with these girls and the girls before me is the main reason I’ve stuck with it,” said Caiazzo. “It felt good ... it means a lot, Stella Jarvais (got 100 hits) and I look up to Stella, so the entire team was like ‘that’s such a milestone,’ so to ... be able to do that means a lot.” <

WMS baseball scores early to hold off Bonny Eagle

By Matt Pascarella

In Windham Middle School’s final baseball home game for eighth grade athletes, the Eagles scored several runs early in the game against Bonny Eagle and took a commanding lead on Wednesday, May 27. The Scots began making a comeback but ran out of time and Windham won, 13-7.

Windham seventh grader Cody Devoid bats during a middle
school baseball game against Bonny Eagle at Windham High
School. PHOTO  BY MATT PASCARELLA 

“We were hitting better than the last game we played,” said Windham seventh grader Wesson LeDuc. “Our energy was a lot better; we were just better overall. Everyone was getting the bat on the ball, finding a hole and running the bases well. Pitching (needs work.) As long as our pitchers are throwing strikes and we’re getting the bat to the ball, that’s how you win games.”

The first inning began for Windham with seventh grader Cody Devoid who walked. Eighth grader Nolan Harvie singled and Devoid advanced to third base. Eighth grader Robbie Sanicola walked and now the bases are loaded.

Eighth grader Eli Souther singled and advanced to second base. His hit brought in Devoid and Harvie.

A ground out and Sanicola scored. After one inning, Windham led 3-0.

Bonny Eagle scored a run in the second inning.

The second inning for Windham was where they really took the game from the Scots, putting an impressive eight runs up on the scoreboard.

Seventh grader Bronson Bassett reached first base on an error. Eighth grader Nolan Works reached first base on a fielder’s choice. After a walk, Devoid hit a ground ball and reached first base.

Harvie singled and Works scored. Sanicola hit a fly ball and reached first base. Seventh grader Brandon Foster scored. Souther hit a fly ball to center field and brought in Devoid and Harvie. Sanicola was on second base.

“We hit the ball well, great energy in the dugout, pitching was good,” said Harvie, who pitched three innings with five strikeouts. “We just shut the door on the other team. Leaders did a good job coming in but we got to make sure we’re throwing strikes, especially if we have that energy because that’s what wins ball games.”

Souther stole second and Sanicola scored on a wild pitch after stealing third base.

Eighth grader Brayden Morgan walked. Morgan stole second base on a wild pitch, and Souther scored. LeDuc singled.

Bassett singled and LeDuc stole his way home to score. After two innings, Windham led 11-1.

Eagle defense kept the Scots from crossing home plate too many times in the third and fourth innings.

Windham offense scored twice in the third inning. 

Bonny Eagle scored two runs in the sixth inning but still trailed Windham significantly. The Scots made a last-ditch effort in the top of the seventh inning, but Windham had run away with this game.

“We always want to be swinging for pitches that are in the strike zone,” said WMS baseball coach Charlie Reiniger. “We want to get bat to ball and put it in play and defensively I spend the first two weeks of our practices just doing our infield and outfield. Our game plan is making sure we do our thing, and not to worry about stuff that we can’t control. For the first part of the game, guys came ready to play and a lot of that has to do with the fact that it was our eighth graders’ last game (at home). They really wanted it and the seventh graders understood the importance of (scoring) early in that game. These guys have learned to run the bases well, our hitting has been very, very good this year. They work really hard in practice and have bought into the program. Last two games of the year we want to continue to improve our baseball IQ.” <