The underdog Hampden Academy team pushed powerhouse Cheverus and star pitcher Addison DeRoche to the brink Saturday in Auburn, but the Stags scratched across the go-ahead run in the seventh inning to claim a 3-2 victory and the Class A softball state championship.
Cheverus, led by DeRoche, who was Maine’s Gatorade Softball Player of the Year and is already a Florida State University commit as a junior, struck first in the top of the second inning. Kylie Lamson singled to right and moved into scoring position on a groundout before Sadie Collins delivered a two-out RBI single to left for a 1-0 lead.
The Stags doubled their advantage in the third. Hailey Lamontagne worked a walk and advanced on an errant throw during a steal attempt. Abby Kelly then lofted a soft liner just over second baseman Khloe Hellum, scoring Lamontagne to make it 2-0.
Hampden answered with single runs in the fourth and seventh, capitalizing on timely hitting from Cat Facchini, Mariah Coon and Piper Parker, but never managed to seize the lead.
With the game tied 2–2 in the top of the seventh, Collins again ignited Cheverus’ offense. She was hit by a pitch to open the inning, then advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and rundown. From there she came home with the go-ahead run, giving the Stags a 3-2 edge and leaving the rest to DeRoche.
Facchini took the loss despite a strong complete-game effort, allowing three earned runs on eight hits, walking four and striking out two while going 2 for 3 with an RBI and a double at the plate. Hampden mustered just four hits and struck out 15 times against DeRoche.
At the plate, Facchini sparked a comeback attempt in the bottom of the seventh and final inning with an infield hit, coming around to score on a Parker single. Cheverus celebrated prematurely after the umpire signaled Parker out while advancing to second base, but the call was reversed. DeRoche struck out Charlotte Tardif to clinch the game.