Addison DeRoche doesn’t have to play high school softball. Well before she threw her first pitch for the Cheverus team, the freshman sensation caught the attention of some of the country’s best college softball programs through her play in national travel tournaments.
It’s not uncommon for top-level athletes, especially in individual sports like running or tennis, to skip school-based competition. DeRoche did that in middle school, spending the springs of her seventh and eighth grade years attending exposure camps, linking up with teams from Missouri and Georgia for a few tournaments. But the 15-year-old from Westbrook understood the value of playing for her high school team.
“It’s about having school pride and making friendships within the sport,” DeRoche said. “I really like playing in front of the community and showing people what I can do.”
What makes it worth it has nothing to do with DeRoche’s undoubtedly bright college softball future. It’s the greetings and smiles from her teammates in the Cheverus hallways. Seeing her 20-plus person supporter section every game. The well-wishes for that afternoon’s game from her teacher after handing in an assignment. And the unobstructed view of Portland’s glistening Back Bay from the Cheverus softball field during pregame introductions.
Through her first 20 innings of high school softball, the right-hander had yet to allow a run, compiling 50 strikeouts and ceding just two hits and a walk. At the plate, she’s batting .533 with more than half of her hits extra-base knocks. DeRoche plays the corner infield when not in the circle for the undefeated Stags, a top contender in Class A.
“I just look towards the ocean, look at the flag and think about how grateful I am to be in this position and for the people at my side,” DeRoche said. “I try to play freely in travel but sometimes you can get caught up in yourself and your performance, but here I know that I have a team and a community behind me.”
This isn’t a debate about school-based athletics vs. travel. Both have their merits. DeRoche proves the point.
Her rise to softball prominence started during the COVID-19 pandemic. In July 2020, Bridgette DeRoche saw an advertisement on Facebook for a clinic with the Rhode Island Thunder. They drove three hours to it, and after a strong performance, the Thunder invited Addison to return for a tryout. She impressed again, so much so that she was offered a spot on the 14U Premier Girls Fastpitch national team as an 11-year-old sixth grader. After evaluating the commitments — financial and time — Addison joined the team.
No tournament proved too mighty for DeRoche, who racked up countless accolades and attention from programs, including some from top-notch conferences like the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Big Ten. DeRoche switched from the Rhode Island Thunder to Georgia-based Mojo-Lewis for travel ball last fall.
As if tournament travel wasn’t enough, Addison also works with Westford, Massachusetts-based pitching coach Jen DeLuca Hoar. The family drives down for lessons most Sundays year-round outside of the busy tournament seasons. DeRoche practices hitting with Danica Gleason in Cape Elizabeth and New Jersey-based John Sangillo.
“Addison is a really hard worker and great teammate,” first-year Cheverus coach John Eisenhart said. “Mentally tough, great competitor and a generational talent.”
Sophomore Anna Kennedy-Jensen and junior Izabella Napolitano Aberle catch DeRoche regularly for Cheverus.
Napolitano Aberle previously caught DeRoche during middle school travel ball, so they had a little experience as a battery. DeRoche was good then. Way better now. The movement on DeRoche’s riseball, especially, took time for Napolitano Aberle to get used to. “The first few flew right over my head,” Napolitano Aberle said. “I’m just glad I don’t have to hit against her.”
Ditto for Kennedy-Jensen, who quickly realized that DeRoche’s pitches generally move more than the usual Maine high school pitcher’s, especially late. With more experience, both catchers find catching DeRoche, and watching mystified batters in front of them, a rewarding experience.
“It’s kind of funny, they’re kind of amazed that she’s a freshman and they can’t hit her,” Kennedy-Jensen said. “Sometimes they’ll just swing and miss and be like ‘wow, that was a crazy pitch.’”
Perhaps more importantly, they appreciate DeRoche’s encouraging nature. It’s reverberated throughout the program, boosting the team’s confidence. “Addison brings more to the team than just pitching,” Napolitano Aberle said. “She always has a smile on her face, cheers on her teammates and makes the team a better space.”
And for that message, and all of her teammates, DeRoche, an avid journal writer and podcast listener, is greatly appreciative.
“My teammates and catchers have had a big influence on me,” DeRoche said. “Their ability to adapt and support me and regulate the game with me and be on the same page is a big part of it too.”
DeRoche missed a handful of school days this fall, her first semester of high school, for travel softball tournaments. She struggled a bit with building strong friendships. Now, she’s constantly excited to see her teammates in the Cheverus hallways.
“We don’t even have to talk,” DeRoche said. “We just smile at each other because… it’s awesome.”
