Gorham received top-notch instruction leading up to the U14 Babe Ruth National Invitational Tournament.

Before the team left for Virginia, softball extraordinaires Tony Esposito and Joe O’Connell attended practices to help coach the team.

“Joe was a member of the Portland High School softball coaching staff for many years,” manager Dennis Crowe said. “He also played fast-pitch softball back when Portland had men’s fast-pitch. He has played in many national tournaments and is widely recognized as one of the most knowledgeable softball people in Maine.”

According to Crowe, O’Connell was brought in to help with batting. With his ability to explain concepts in their simplest forms he was able to help the girls a great deal.

“I learned I need to stick my butt out more,” said shortstop Sarah Burnheimer. “Other people weren’t getting their arms up high enough. People were wasting their power.”

Esposito, who is a softball pitcher and has played in multiple national tournaments, threw batting practice to the girls and helped instruct the pitchers.

“You could see every one of us improving right during practice,” Burnheimer said.

There’s no doubt those improvements were valuable at nationals.

“There was no team down there we couldn’t have beaten,” Burnheimer said. “It was pretty equal all through. They were all beatable.”