
Cheverus freshman Addison DeRoche, who is in the midst of one of the finest pitching seasons ever produced by a Maine high school player, was named Friday as the state’s Gatorade Softball Player of the Year.
DeRoche went 8-1 in the regular season, with an 0.12 earned run average. She threw a perfect game and three no-hitters, then added another no-hitter Thursday in a regional quarterfinal round victory over Massabesic. DeRoche allowed just six hits in 57 regular season innings, walking six and striking out a jawdropping 137 batters. DeRoche boasts a powerful bat as well, hitting .553 during the regular season, with three home runs and 24 runs batted in.
DeRoche ranks as the nation’s No. 7 prospect in the Class of 2027, according to Extra Innings Softball, and was named one of the top 20 freshmen to watch across the country by Sports Illustrated/SB Live. DeRoche, who has a 4.0 GPA, has volunteered locally as a food drive volunteer to benefit the needy and with a softball camp associated with the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
“(Addison’s) humble, mature and dedicated,” said Jason McLeod, the coach of the Portland Bulldogs. “I don’t see much of anything that fazes her when she plays. That includes any special schemes or tricks that teams or coaches might attempt when batting against her or pitching to her. She is not fazed by any of it. More so, she is prepared for it.”
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