Windham varsity baseball off to a great start in preseason

By Matt Pascarella

On a warm but windy afternoon, the Windham High School varsity baseball team began their preseason at home with a game against Mount Ararat on Tuesday, April 11. Windham started strong and secured a 5-3 win as they prepare for the start of the regular season later this month.

Windham freshman Wyatt Washburn is shown moments 
before driving the ball to the outfield  during a preseason
game against Mount Ararat in Windham on Tuesday,
April 11. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA  

“Our hitters’ approaches from the first inning on through the seventh inning was excellent,” said Windham varsity baseball coach Chris Doughty. “The two-strike approach was great; they stayed in there, they battled. I ... saw a lot of really good things today. One of the things that stood out the most was when it counted, Windham bared down because they wanted to win. I think it’s going to be a great year.”

In the first inning, Mount Ararat scored on a passed ball.

Windham was quick to answer when junior Brady Harvie singled. Senior Alex “Bob” Wing’s base hit drove in Harvie making it a 1-1 game.

“It was a really good game today,” said Harvie. “I feel like it’s a big confidence booster for the team, first game of the year to go out swing the bats well, pitch pretty well – definitely felt good.”

Harvie said the best part of the game was their bats. He said they hit the ball really well compared to last year; they had some good hits and big moments.

In the second inning, Windham’s defense sent three consecutive batters back to the dugout.

In the fourth inning, Wing singled and so did senior Logan Marden. Freshman Wyatt Washburn’s base hit loaded the bases. After senior Ryan Bernard was thrown out at first, Wing scored. Later in the inning, a passed ball brought Marden across the plate. After four innings, Windham led 3-1.

Wing said he liked how they hit the ball. He liked that the errors were minimal during this game. Windham had a lot of contact, moving people around the bases. He thinks they did very well.

In the fifth inning, Windham junior Login Desrochers singled and so did Harvie. Desrochers advanced to third base and Harvie to second base. A double from Marden and Windham was up by four runs.

“I feel like we had a ton of positivity in the team today,” said Marden. “It’s big coming out first game and getting a win. This just gives us really good momentum for the season; bats were really hot today and we did really solid in the field with minimal errors – it’s a great way to start the season.”

Mount Ararat was able to knock in a couple more runs in the sixth inning but couldn’t get much further ahead of the Eagle’s defense.<

Windham varsity baseball prevents Bonny Eagle shutout

Windham High junior Ethan Barker runs to first base after 
driving the ball to the outfield during a prep baseball game
against Bonny Eagle at Windham High School on Tuesday,
May 24. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

By Matt Pascarella

Windham varsity baseball prevented a shutout by Bonny Eagle on Tuesday, May 24 at Windham when they scored in the bottom of the third inning.

After two scoreless innings, Bonny Eagle scored several runs in the top of the third inning.

Unfortunately, the Scots scored three more runs before the end of the game and got an 8-1 win.

“It’s rough,” said Windham junior Blake Peeples who was on the mound for a little over six innings. “I thought we had them in the first inning and second, but then we just kept making errors. We lasted the whole game, so we’ll get credit for that.”

Peeples said communication went well. He added the team can improve for next game by working harder, staying together ... and just play the game of baseball.

The Scots got things going with a double and then a runner was hit by the pitch. Windham was able to end the inning with two runners on base and one in scoring position.

In the top of the third inning, Bonny Eagle knocked in five runs.

Windham junior Ethan Barker singled on a line drive to right field. Junior Ryan Bernard walked. Sophomore Login Desrochers singled on a ground ball to the shortstop. This brought in Barker. It’s now 5-1, Bonny Eagle.

“I think we played pretty good defense in the outfield, we got the ball in quick,” said Barker. “And we were swinging [the bats] a lot more.”

Barker said he thought they stuck together as a team and did not get down on themselves.

Bonny Eagle scored one run in the fourth inning.

In the seventh inning, Windham picked a runner off at first base who was caught in a pickle. Windham also stopped a runner at home. Despite this, Bonny Eagle scored two runs.

Windham varsity baseball coach Cody Dube said this was one of the best opposing pitchers they’ve seen this season. He worked quick, threw strikes, and got after Windham. Dube said it’s tough when you have a pitcher in a groove like that.

He pointed out that the Eagles are making similar mistakes on defense they have all year; instinctual things like not knowing ahead of time where the ball needs to go. He said more reps and situational awareness and things will start to come together.

Dube said that Blake did a nice job on the mound, and got a lot of weak contact, which made his batters look uncomfortable. Windham also had good outfield play. <