Newsletter #4...Praising the unsung hero

While Cheverus' 24-hour sweep of top softball rivals Windham and Gorham earlier this week was due in large part to the dominance we've grown accustomed to from transcendent sophomore ace pitcher Addison DeRoche and the booming bat of junior centerfielder Hailey Lamontagne, the Stags would not have emerged victorious were it not for the contributions of sophomore leftfielder Abby Kelly.

On Monday, Kelly's solo home run sparked a 6-2 win at the Eagles.

"I was thinking, 'Please go. Please go,'" said Kelly, of her home run. "I needed it for the team. I was looking for my pitch down the middle. It felt really good off my bat."

"I'm so happy for Abby Kelly," added Cheverus coach John Eisenhart. "She's really capable of that. It was a big home run."

Tuesday, it was Kelly's glove that stole the show, as she made a sensational diving catch to prevent extra bases against the first Rams' hitter. Kelly later ran down a ball that was twisting in the wind, a catch with a tremendous degree of difficulty at any level of the sport, and if that's not enough, she also came in and made a nice catch on the run to stifle another uprising.

To win big games and to win championships, a team needs contributions from everyone.

It's safe to say that Kelly did her part this week.

"It felt so good to have Addison's back," said Kelly, after the Gorham win. "She pitched so great. I had to be ready every pitch."

Kelly also played a critical role this winter on a Cheverus girls' basketball team which made a run to the Class AA state final.

"Abby's such a valuable player for us," Eisenhart said. "She's just outstanding in everything she does."

In addition to those wins, the Stags dispatched South Portland Wednesday, 16-6 (in six-innings), to improve to 7-0 on the year. Cheverus is now atop the Class A South Heal Points standings. The defending champions have won 11 straight games dating back to last June.

"I feel like we can clean things up a little, but I think we're looking pretty good," Kelly said.

"This is a brand new season," Eisenhart said. "We were a team on the rise last year, but this year, it's a different mindset. I just love showing up here every day and spending time with these kids. We take it one game at a time."

While Cheverus is living up to billing as title favorites, don't write off Gorham or Windham.

The Rams put five runners on base against DeRoche, managed a couple of hits and junior ace Bella McBrady allowed just one earned run. Had it not been for Kelly's outfield heroics, they might have produced a seismic midseason victory.

"We played good defense and Bella pitched her brains out (against Cheverus)," said Gorham coach Jason Dubail. "We've been in a lot of close games. We're comfortable in close games and today was no different.

"I feel real confidence with this group. We just have to keep on fighting and keep getting better. I feel like if we play how we can play, we can play with anyone. We just have to play our game and we'll be in good shape."

The Rams improved to 8-1 and third in Class A South Wednesday with an 18-2 (four-inning) win at Noble.

The Eagles, meanwhile, only used senior ace pitcher Kennedy Kimball for one turn through the Cheverus lineup. She held the Stags scoreless and the reigning champs did their damage against relievers Addie Caiazzo and Lacie Higgins. Down six runs late, Windham did manage to put up a couple of runs and it fought to the end.

The Eagles (5-1 and second in Class A South) are playing the long game, knowing that it doesn't matter if they beat Cheverus on May 12 (or May 31 for that matter), only on June 17, if the rivals meet again in the regional final.

"(Cheverus) hadn't seen (Kennedy) since two years ago and they saw her just once today and they hopefully won't see her again until June 17th when we're confident we'll see them," said Windham coach Darcey Gardiner.

"Today was not a loss, it was a learn. Take the home runs away and it's a 2-2 ballgame, so I'm very proud of my group."

Class B South softball has turned wild. Freeport, a regional finalist in 2024, lost at Lincoln Academy Monday (8-3), but bounced back to score 34 runs in victories over Fryeburg Academy and Yarmouth to improve to 8-2 and fourth in the region. Against the Clippers, the Falcons trailed, 12-3, at one juncture, but scored 15 times in the last two innings. Greely beat Freeport last week, 13-8, and after Wednesday's 12-2 (six-inning) loss at reigning regional champion York, the Rangers rallied for a 7-6 (eight-inning) home win over Fryeburg Academy to improve to 9-3 and first in Class B South at press time.

North Yarmouth Academy is up to its usual tricks in Class D South, improving to 7-0 and first in the Heals with wins this week over visiting Richmond (10-2) and Old Orchard Beach (10-0, in six-innings).

On the baseball diamond, the pitching of reigning Class A champion Scarborough continues to defy description. The Red Storm, who already have a no-hitter from ace Erik Swenson this season, played 12 innings this week and didn't allow a single hit. Tuesday, Scarborough blanked visiting Cheverus, 7-0, as Swenson and Ryan Sugars combined for a perfect game, as Swenson fanned 11 in four innings and Sugars struck out five more in his three-inning stint. Thursday, the Red Storm beat host Windham, 10-0, in five-innings, as Nate Masters threw a no-hitter and was a first inning error away from his own perfecto. Masters struck out seven as Scarborough improved to 6-0.

Then there's Gorham, which has captured six straight after a season-opening loss. This week, the Rams downed visiting Massabesic (3-1) and Biddeford (5-0). Miles Brenner allowed just one run and fanned six against the Mustangs, while Jack Karlonas threw a two-hitter over five innings against the Tigers. Senior ace Wyatt Nadeau, the Vanderbilt-bound, highly-coveted MLB prospect, pitched two scoreless innings of relief against the Tigers.

If Mother Nature would somehow allow, Scarborough is scheduled to host Gorham in a possible regional final preview Saturday morning. It's conceivable that Nadeau and Swenson could square off, but again, the weather gods will have something to say about that.

If it wasn't for bad luck, Falmouth wouldn't have any luck at all. On Monday, the Navigators dropped a 2-1, 10-inning decision at Thornton Academy. Thursday, Falmouth played visiting Marshwood scoreless into the ninth inning. The Hawks scored a run in the top of the frame, then the Navigators hit into a rarely seen triple play in the bottom half to end it.

South Portland is quietly putting together a memorable campaign, improving to 6-1 and second in Class A South behind Marshwood after wins over visiting Sanford (3-0) and host Cheverus (10-1). Ben Morin threw a five-hit shutout against the Spartans with six Ks, while junior ace Hudson Iacuessa held the Stags to just one unearned run on two hits in six innings. Thornton Academy is right there as well, improving to 7-0 after edging visiting Falmouth (2-1, in 10-innings) and mercy ruling host Deering (21-1, in five-innings) and visiting Massabesic (11-0, in five-innings).

Just when it appeared Greely was taking control of Class B South, the Rangers lost Monday at Lake Region (9-3) and after Wednesday's win at York (14-4, in five-innings), they fell again Thursday at home to Fryeburg Academy (5-4), leaving the potential winning run in scoring position. Greely is now 8-2, but is still first in the region. Cape Elizabeth, which gets a shot at Greely next week (see below), is 7-3 and fourth following a 2-1 (10-inning) win at Wells, a 5-0 home shutout of Lake Region and an 8-3 home win over reigning state champion Yarmouth. Max Hayward's sacrifice fly was the difference against the Warriors, as Jameson Bryant earned the win in relief, allowing three hits in five scoreless innings. Andy Choi dazzled against the Lakers, throwing a one-hitter. Ace Brady Inman held the Clippers to just two hits in five innings, fanning eight.

Then, there's Freeport, the 2021 and 2022 regional champion, which has suffered its share of tough losses this season, but Wednesday at Yarmouth, the Falcons got a break, going ahead to stay on a three-run error and holding on for an 11-8 victory.

Falmouth's boys' lacrosse team, the reigning Class A champion and overwhelming favorite this season, passed its most recent test in dominant style, rolling to an 18-2 victory at Cape Elizabeth.

The team best equipped to slow the Navigators down is Yarmouth, but the Clippers won't get their shot for another week. Yarmouth improved to 8-0 after winning at Messalonskee (17-7) and at home over NYA (10-1). Thornton Academy takes a six-game win streak into Friday's home game versus Cape Elizabeth. The Golden Trojans, who lost at Falmouth in the opener, rolled at Noble/Sanford Tuesday (19-4). Freeport had its five-game win streak snapped with an 18-11 loss at York.

On the girls' side, while Kennebunk isn't technically in the coverage area, a quick congratulations to longtime Rams' coach Annie Barker, who got her 300th career victory Tuesday at NYA, 16-2. Barker joins Waynflete's Cathie Connors as the lone girls' coaches to reach that milestone (Brunswick's Don Glover and Cape Elizabeth's Ben Raymond have done so on the boys' side). Kennebunk is atop the Class A Heals at press time with a 7-0 mark following Thursday's 13-7 home win over Marshwood.

There are plenty of local teams hot on the Rams' heels, however.

Thornton Academy suffered an overtime loss at Cape Elizabeth Saturday, but were seventh in the Heals at press time.

Cape Elizabeth has just two wins to its credit, but both were memorable. Last Saturday, the Capers outlasted visiting Thornton Academy in an overtime thriller, 16-15, on a goal from freshman Cami Johnson.

Cheverus was rolling before hosting Scarborough Thursday. The Stags led by three goals entering the fourth quarter, but the Red Storm rallied for a dramatic 14-13 victory on sophomore Maddie Howes' goal with 3.6 seconds left.

Gorham was 5-1 at press time as its lone loss also came to Scarborough. Falmouth (5-3) is in the mix, while reigning champion Yarmouth has lost four in a row and has some work to do heading into a showdown Friday at home versus three-time defending Class B champion Greely.

In Class B, Freeport is dominating at 7-0, but the top-ranked Falcons have company at the top in Mt. Ararat (8-0).

Defending Class C champion Waynflete enjoyed an 8-6 home win over rival NYA last Friday, then improved to 5-1 Tuesday with a 15-3 win over Noble.

In case you missed it

Here's a look at game stories that have been posted since last week's newsletter:

Waynflete girls hold off rival NYA

Falmouth boys dominate Cape again

Cape girls rally to beat TA in OT thriller

The first Cheverus-Windham showdown was all Stags

Cheverus softball edges Gorham

Freeport outlasts Yarmouth in midseason baseball battle

Cheverus girls continue to surge with win over Scarborough

And if you missed my radio spot with Mannix and Mannix from last week, here's the link:

https://thebigjab.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/MMM-5-9-25-Michael-Hoffer.mp3

Polls

Here's this week's Super6 polls, which includes teams from Thornton Academy to Freeport, through games played Thursday, May 15th:

Baseball
1 Scarborough
2 Thornton Academy
3 Gorham
4 South Portland
5 Greely
6 Cape Elizabeth

Extraordinary pitching plus a championship pedigree keeps the Red Storm on top. Scarborough is scheduled to battle Gorham Saturday, but the weather forecast suggests otherwise. The fifth and sixth-ranked squads meet Monday in a compelling showdown.

Softball
1 Cheverus
2 Gorham
3 Windham
4 Greely
5 Freeport
6 NYA

The Stags took care of business against the Rams and Eagles, impressing just as much with their bats and gloves and their pitching. In fact, there's offensive firepower up and down this list.

Boys' lacrosse
1 Falmouth
2 Yarmouth
3 Thornton Academy
4 South Portland
5 Cape Elizabeth
6 Freeport

The Navigators and Clippers continue to set themselves apart and they'll meet a week from today. The Golden Trojans and Red Riots appear to be peaking at the right time. It's been a struggle for the Capers, but never write them off.

Girls' lacrosse
1 Windham
2 Freeport
3 Thornton Academy
4 Gorham
5 Cheverus
6 Scarborough

Class A has no shortage of great teams, but you never know what you'll get night to night. We do know that the Falcons are laser focused on capturing the Class B crown that eluded them by a goal a year ago.

A look ahead

There's plenty of big games upcoming, even if it appears the weather will again be unsettled, which is bad news for the baseball and softball folks.

Monday, Cape Elizabeth hosts Greely in a Class B South baseball showdown that will have huge playoff positioning implications. The Rangers beat the Capers in the teams' first meeting May 2 (1-0). Their games are always high-intensity and expect nothing to be different this time around. There's a huge girls' lacrosse battle as well, as Windham goes to Thornton Academy.

Tuesday, South Portland baseball goes to Falmouth for a playoff rematch in a contest between two of the best Class A South teams. Again, plenty will be at stake. Waynflete's girls' lacrosse team hasn't beaten Yarmouth since the 2013 Class B state final, but the Flyers like their chances when they host the Clippers. Cape Elizabeth's boys go to Falmouth, hoping to close the gap on the seemingly untouchable Navigators.

Wednesday, Greely's softball team hopes to avenge one of its losses when it hosts Yarmouth. A couple hundred yards away at Twin Brook Recreation Center, the schools' baseball teams renew acquaintances as well. When they played earlier this season, Rangers' junior ace Keeler Vogt no-hit the defending state champion Clippers. Cheverus' softball team will get its next test, at Kennebunk and its ace, Julia Pike. The Greely and NYA girls' lacrosse teams, who are contenders in their respective classes, will do battle in Yarmouth. That day will mark one month until the state games for baseball, softball and lacrosse.

Thursday, a pair of huge Class A South baseball games are scheduled, as Scarborough hosts Thornton Academy and South Portland welcomes Gorham. York at Thornton Academy makes for a compelling interclass boys' lacrosse showdown. There's three good girls' lacrosse battles on the slate as well, as undefeated Kennebunk goes to Falmouth, Marshwood visits Windham and Thornton Academy plays at Yarmouth.

And we'll be right back with another newsletter next Friday.

Is it crazy to think the Patriots might go 10-7 this season? The schedule certainly seems favorable. I might have to make that trip to see them in New Orleans.

Have a great weekend everyone and Go, Celtics!

Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffersports@yahoo.com