The Hampden Academy softball team got off to a quiet start this spring, going 3-3 in its first six games.
But you always want to be playing your best ball at the end of the season. That has certainly been the case as the Broncos beat Lewiston 1-0 in their Class A North championship game at the Central Maine Community College field in Auburn on Tuesday.
It was Hampden’s first regional title.
The 13-6 Broncos, 7-2 over their last nine games, will now face 19-0 Cheverus of Portland in Saturday’s 1 p.m. state title game at the CMCC field. Cheverus defeated Bonny Eagle of Buxton 5-0 in the A South final.
The fifth-seeded Broncos had knocked off fourth seed Edward Little of Auburn 5-3 and then upset top seed Oxford Hills of South Paris 10-8 in 11 innings in the semifinals before edging second seed Lewiston.
The Broncos had lost to all three post-season opponents during the regular season, dropping a season-opening 5-4 game at Oxford Hills before losing 6-0 to both Edward Little and Lewiston.
“I thought we would finish in the top four and have a good chance” at a title, said second-year head coach and former Brewer assistant Jarrod Willilams, who noted the team only lost two of its starters from last year’s roster. “I never knew Hampden had never won a regional championship so I’m very proud to be a part of that.”
Williams said the team was without several players who went on a trip to Europe early in the season so he had to use a variety of lineups. Once they all returned, he was able to establish more consistency, which proved to be beneficial.
Getting shut out by Edward Little and Lewiston in the same week served as a wake-up call and the team began working more cohesively.
He noted that it takes time to implement what the coaching staff wants to do.
“Finally, it just clicked,” said Willilams who added that a regular-season ending 1-0 eight-inning win over Class B North top seed Hermon gave his team some valuable confidence.
The Broncos have only three seniors including first team All-KVAC Class A pitcher Cat Facchini, who tossed a three-hit shutout against Lewiston with eight strikeouts and two walks and drove in the game’s only run with a two-out double in the fifth inning.
All-KVAC first team catcher Aubrey Shaw, a junior, scored the run after singling to lead off the inning and being sacrificed to second by junior right fielder Lolah Cowing.
Williams said Facchini put in a “lot of work in the offseason” and has been outstanding in the circle and as a hitter.
The Husson University of Bangor-bound Facchini gained considerable muscle working out religiously throughout the offseason, primarily at Sluggers in Brewer, according to Williams.
Williams said it was “evident from day one” that Facchini was going to have an outstanding season. She has a 12-6 record and a 1.75 earned run average and was second in the conference in strikeouts during the regular season behind KVAC Player of the Year Kyeria Morse from Oxford Hills.
Shaw leads the team in virtually every offensive category, according to Williams.
The heart and soul of the team is senior center fielder Mariah Coon, a defensive standout and vocal leader.
“Nothing falls in when she’s out there,” Williams said. “She’s really fast and tracks everything down.”
Coon is flanked in the outfield by senior left fielder Makayla Shaw and Cowing.
Junior Piper Parker is the third baseman and has been hitting the ball hard throughout the playoffs.
“She had two hits against Oxford Hills and came through with a clutch two-run double with two outs in the top of the seventh to tie the game,” Williams said.
Junior designated player Charlotte Tardiff drove in what proved to be the winning run in that game in the top of the 11th with a base hit.
Sophomore Khloe Hellum, the starting second baseman a year ago, has moved to shortstop with sophomore Sam Libby at second base and her sister, Ellura Libby, at first.
Ellura Libby has replaced freshman first baseman Isla Barrington, who suffered a severely sprained ankle stepping off the bus after the Edward Little playoff game.
Sam Libby is the number two pitcher behind Facchini and has a 1.15 ERA in 12-13 innings according to Williams. Tardiff also pitches.
Aubrey Shaw is the leadoff hitter followed by Cowing, Coon, Facchini, Hellum, Parker, Tardiff, Makayla Shaw and Sam Libby. Ellura Shaw is the flex player who only plays defense.
Williams said the team has exceptional chemistry and that close-knit bond has been a factor in its success.
The Broncos will be underdogs against Cheverus but he said the team is ready for the challenge.
“Our team is built on pitching and defense. That’s the bottom line,” Williams said. “Offense wins games but we’re hoping defense wins championships.”