AUBURN — Cheverus freshman phenom pitcher Addison DeRoche has carved up opposing lineups all postseason. On Saturday, she did it again to deliver the Stags their first state title.
DeRoche struck out 21 batters to give her an incredible 212 strikeouts in 87 innings this season, and Cheverus beat Oxford Hills, 3-1, in the Class A championship game Saturday afternoon at Central Maine Community College.
The hard-throwing right-hander, who struck out 23 in a 10-inning regional final victory over Windham, finished the playoffs with 75 strikeouts in four games.
“It’s absolutely amazing playing with these girls and in this environment – it’s a dream come true,” said DeRoche. “I think I was just throwing rise and just spinning and trusting my defense when the ball would get in play and working well with my catcher, Bella (Napolitano Aberle).”
DeRoche allowed three hits and a walk. Hailey Lamontagne led Cheverus (18-1) with two runs scored, two hits and an RBI.
Oxford Hills finished 17-3, losing in the state final for the second year in a row.
“It’s just an amazing feeling, I’m so happy for the girls and for their families,” Cheverus Coach John Eisenhart said. “They’re really a talented group, but they work really hard and they get along great. They just love each other, and that’s so important when you’re making your way through the season, especially in close games like (today).”
It’s been a busy week for DeRoche, who flew to Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday for a travel ball showcase tournament with her club team, Mojo Lewis. DeRoche flew back to Maine at 1:30 a.m. Saturday so that she could play in the state championship game.
“She came back for us, and she actually told us last fall, she would not be here if we made it to the state championship,” Eisenhart said. “But, we won the Western Maine final and her parents threw some stuff around and they came back for us. We needed her today. She’s so incredible, she’s such a great competitor (and) she’s so talented. She’s just an incredible person, too.”
The Stags scored the eventual winning run in the top of the third when Napolitano Aberle singled home Lamontagne.
Gigi DeVivo scored the lone Oxford Hills run in the bottom of the fourth. She singled to lead off the inning and promptly stole second. She then stole third and scored on a throwing error to cut the deficit to 2-1.
“It’s always a gamble, because you know, she likes to steal third base, but my percentage on that is pretty good,” Oxford Hills Coach Cindy Goddard said. “It’s a gamble, but it’s the kind of gamble we like to take.”
Cheverus added an insurance run in the top of the fifth when Lamontagne hit an infield single that brought home Kelsey Cassidy.
“I think Hailey is one of the best hitters, if not the best hitter in the state,” Eisenhart said. “To me, she’s an all-state player. She’s been doing that for us all year long, and she just came up huge for us today.”
Lamontagne scored the game’s first run in the top of the first when she tripled and raced home on a fielding error after a long hit to right-center field.
She said she simplified her swing and told herself, “see ball, hit ball.”
“There’s some really good pitchers out there,” Goddard said. “We are fortunate to have also a really good pitcher (Kyeria Morse), and I think the more you get here, the more the opportunity you get to play big games, it just makes you feel more comfortable. Nerve-wracking as it might be, the expectation is we’re going to be back here and we know what it feels like.”
DeRoche said the team was motivated to get the program’s first title, especially for the seniors – Mikayla Talbot, Cassidy, Alexandria Dowling-Ingraham and Brynn McKenney.
Lamontagne agreed.
“I feel like everyone was anticipating the last out, so it was just so relieving when she (DeRoche) finally pitched the last strike,” Lamontagne said. “I’m proud to be on this team. I feel like we fought all season, and we really showed everyone who we are and what we’re trying to do. I think next season, we’re going to come back harder and we’re going to want it more.”
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