Windham softball upsets Cheverus in A South final

STANDISH — For two years, Kennedy Kimball waited for her turn.

The Windham senior thrived as a pitcher in her sophomore and junior years, but she was stuck behind a two-time Maine Gatorade Player of the Year in Brooke Gerry. When the Eagles played in the state’s biggest games, Kimball stood at first base, eagerly anticipating when it would be her time to be on center stage.

That chance came Tuesday. Kimball didn’t miss it.

Kimball twirled a three-hit shutout, and second-ranked Windham stunned No. 1 Cheverus and sophomore standout Addison DeRoche, 1-0, in the Class A South final at Saint Joseph’s College to reach its second state championship game game in three years.

Windham improved to 17-2, while defending champion Cheverus, which got 14 strikeouts from DeRoche, finished 18-1 and saw its 22-game winning streak end.

“I always want to be able to be put in those big games,” said Kimball, who fanned eight. “I know I was younger, but I was definitely waiting for this year to have the chance to be able to go out and do that for my team.”

Kimball wasn’t the only one waiting. Ever since last year’s regional final, when Windham saw its title defense end with 23 strikeouts against the overpowering right arm of DeRoche, the Eagles had been on a mission for payback.

“It’s been about this game since 2024,” coach Darcey Gardiner said. “My team, and the competitors they are, they wanted to face the best in order to be called the best.”

The offseason was about cracking the DeRoche code, and finding tips and hints that could lead to success. Even after the Stags (18-1) took both regular-season meetings, the Eagles still believed they were on the right track.

“We were confident, but we weren’t cocky,” senior catcher Stella Jarvais said. “We were very well prepared, thanks to (Gardiner). … (We knew) that each person has their own individual quirks that they can go up and do.”

The chance Windham was looking for came in the third inning. Chloe Edwards drew a one-out walk, Addie Caiazzo reached on a bunt single, and Jarvais singled to left. That brought up Kimball, who fouled off six two-strike pitches before blasting a drive to center that Hailey Lamontagne hauled in over her shoulder.

The ball was hit deep enough to drive in Edwards from third base, but she took off to early and had to retreat.

“My heart dropped,” Jarvais said. “I was like, ‘That was the time.’ Especially in tight games like these, you can’t miss those (opportunities).”

It was a potentially crippling setback, until Edwards scored anyway on a wild pitch.

“We kind of got crossed up on the pitch, and they took advantage of it,” DeRoche said. “In the first place, I shouldn’t have walked the girl.”

Cheverus coach John Eisenhart hoped his team would pull off a momentum-changing escape, just like the Eagles accomplished in the first inning when Cheverus loaded the bases with one out but Kimball got back-to-back strikeouts.

“I really did think we caught a break, and the angels were on our side today,” Eisenhart said. “I actually thought we did a good job of limiting the damage in that situation. … We just couldn’t get enough going offensively.”

Kimball saw to that, never allowing a runner past second base the rest of the way.

“I was like, my team got me a run, it’s my job to try to get us out of this,” she said. “My heart was pounding. … Those couple innings were so long.”

Yet over too soon for the Stags.

“I’m really proud of our fight,” said DeRoche, who said she is planning “as of right now” to be back at Cheverus for her junior year. “I don’t really feel anything right now, it might hit me later. Watching them celebrate, it gives you more motivation for the future.”