Are you ready to meet a rising star in the softball world? Today, we venture all the way to Portland, Maine, to introduce you to Addison DeRoche, a sophomore at Cheverus HS who is setting the field on fire with her exceptional skills and determination. Despite her young age, Addison has already achieved feats that some seniors can only dream of. Strap in, because this article is about to take you on a thrilling ride through the journey of an extraordinary athlete.
Addison DeRoche
Class of 2027 Sophomore at Cheverus High School
Mojo-Lewis 16U
Right Handed Pitcher
Unforgettable Beginnings: A Season to Remember
Conducting a Q&A session with Addison DeRoche, a standout member of the Class of 2027 at Cheverus High School, proved that she is no ordinary high school softball player. Her innate talent and unwavering passion for the sport were evident from the moment she set foot on the field. Despite her status as a sophomore, Addison's influence on both her team and the sport itself is undeniable. Her commitment, strong work ethic, and genuine love for softball are apparent in every match she participates in. Let's delve into the impressive statistics and accomplishments of Mojo Lewis and her exceptional Freshman Season.
Notable Achievements with Travel Team
24' PGF 16u Premier National Champions
24' CO TC Sparkler ESPN Game / 9th Overall
24' Triple Crown P5 1st Place
24' Top Gun Invite (5-0) Pool Play (6-1) Finish
24' PGF Memorial Classic Champions
23' 18u Mojo Invitational Champions
23' PGF Show me the Money 10K Champions
Summer Travel Statistics for 2024
Record of 16-3 with 4 saves
Logged 139 Innings Pitched with 205 strikeouts and a 1.8 ERA
Spring 2024 High School Season with Cheverus High School
Record of 13-1
Threw 87 Innings with 212 strikeouts and a .08 ERA
Opponents' Batting Average of .032
23 strikeouts in 10 innings during Tie Breaker Regional Game against Defending Champions
21 strikeouts in Maine State Championship Game after returning home the night before from the Top Gun Invitational Tournament with Mojo Lewis
As a batter, she had 48 At Bats with a .500 Batting Average, 9 doubles, 2 triples, 4 home runs, 28 RBIs, and an impressive 1.642 OPS.
Team clinched their first-ever state championship*
Personal Recognitions
Gatorade Player of the Year - Maine
Max Preps Player of the Year - Maine
Max Preps Underclass All-America Team
SMAA Player of the Year
SMAA Pitcher of the Year
First Team All Star
PPH Varsity ME Player of the Year
PPH All State
Forecaster Cheverus Spring Athlete of the Year
MVP at Cheverus High School
24' Sports Illustrated SBLive Top 20 Freshmen
24' Softball America Hot Watch List - 2027
Line Drive Media Hot 100 Player - Ranked No.2
24' Line Drive Media #1 Pitcher / Duo Category
24' All Summer Team
Embarking on a Journey: Addison's Epic Year Retrospective
When I asked her what are some of her proudest achievements she had a lot to talk about and understandably so as she sates "This year has been a huge year for me but I definitely think it was winning the PGF Premier National Championship this past summer! I started watching it on TV at eight years old and have dreamed of winning it ever since. I played in it the three previous years with my former team and last year place 5th in the 14u division. This year, with Mojo-Lewis, I was confident we could make a strong run at
winning it all but it wasn’t without a lot of locked in grit. My team had faced a
team two times in Colorado this past summer that we ended up facing in the
semi-final game at the PGF. I pitched in each of those games.
The first game we won 10-2 and the second game we lost 6-5. I gave up walk off HR in that game which stuck with me for a while. The day we were to potentially face them at the PGF in the semi-final game, I went to watch them play in a game they were playing in and it was a contentious and tense game. I was feeling a little stressed about having to possibly play them later that day.
"I decided to go the car and take a nap and remove myself from the negative energy. This is one of the things I am most proud of. I removed myself from that environment and went and got my own mind right. I put on my headphones and took control of my controllables. It helped me become so mentally locked in and I did not have any nerves like before. "
We had the luxury of still being in the winner’s bracket but my team came out firing when it came time to play them. I went the distance in the 7 inning game giving up one hit (HR), 12k’s and no walks. We won 5-1. Beating that team to get to the PGF
Championship Game was such a high for my team and me. Personally, I felt
rewarded for all the mental training I do and the pushing myself to the limits
while physically training.
This summer, I really zoned in and learned to stay consistent and not let one pitch or one game affect the next. Playing in the PGF Premier Championship game the next morning and coming away the winners was a dream come true.
In 8th grade, I had set three goals for myself. I have them written in my journal.
One was to win the PGF. One was to win a HS State Championship and one was to
be named Gatorade Player of the Year. I had no idea I would accomplish all three
of them in my freshman year.
I am extremely proud of being a part of winning my high school, Cheverus High
School’s first ever State Championship this past spring. Making history with my
teammates and the school pride that came with it is unbelievable.
The Journey Continues
When she talked about her goals she stated "My short term goals over the next few months are maintaining a 4.0 GPA in the classroom, continuing to be as competitive with my team as we were this past summer. Developing a much stronger drop ball. She added "My long term goal is to commit to a college that is the best all-around fit for me."
To understand how she is so dominant you have to look at the time and preparations she puts into her game as she detailed what she feels contributes to her dominance. She describes " Most people tell me it is my composure in the circle. I believe this is a reflection of my mindset. I have a “you can’t beat me mentality.” This comes from the
enormous amount of work I put in in the off season trusting and knowing I can
rely on my efforts. I thrive on keeping a schedule that includes working out in the
gym and in the cages in the middle of the winter. After a long day at school when
there is 3 feet of snow or it is -5 to 10 degrees outside, it takes a lot of mental
fortitude to drive to the cage facility I go to and put the work in. I also contribute
my strength as a pitcher to not only my conditioning work but the work I do off
the field. Journaling and following a steady nutrition plan have both helped with
my development. I am a very visual person and often play the game over in my
head before it even takes place. I also think this attributes to my demeanor.
Lastly, it definitely took some time and there is no question it is an evolving
process but I now trust my spin and movement with location."
She described her pitching arsenal and her approach as a pitcher stating " I throw a rise, change and drop ball. I work in the low 60’s but I have been clocked at 64 before." She added "I love to attack hitters, while also making them get themselves out. I know my
defense is incredible so I do not get nervous when the ball is put in play whatsoever. Over the last few years I was more of a pitch to contact pitcher but this year, I definitely increased my strikeout percentage. I attribute this to my spin that I have worked really hard on and trusting in the pitch calling of my coaches."
A multi-sport athlete until recently, as she says, "I used to play basketball both in school and on an AAU team. I really do love basketball, but after the fall of 2023, I decided to fully devote my time to softball and become the best I can be. It was a somewhat difficult choice to not play this past winter for my high school team, but deep down, I knew what my focus needed to be for the goals I set for myself. I drive two hours one way to see my pitching coach, Jen DeLuca Hoar, each week in the winter, and my softball training schedule was already heavy. Plus, I was scheduled to go to a few college camps, so I knew I would not be able to commit to all the basketball practices and games. I made the tough decision not to play basketball. Although, I did enjoy being a spectator and cheering on my classmates when I could.
Fun fact: the girls' teams at Cheverus HS won State Championships in field hockey, basketball, ice hockey, and softball for the 2023-2024 school year!
Unveiling the Journey of a Driven Softball Athlete
With someone with the talent and dedication of this AMAZING athlete colleges will be knocking the doors down to get her to their program. She talks here about her camp experiences and more "I have been to several camps over the last two years. In the past year, I‘ve gone to camps at FSU, LSU, OSU, Virginia Tech, Texas A&M, South Carolina (team camp) and Liberty. I think each one has its own uniqueness. Learning about the
campuses and surrounding areas now is helpful in determining where I picture
myself to be some day. Getting to spend time with the coach’s one on one is
invaluable to me. I like to be able to establish relationships. Most people know me
a pitcher only but I work just as hard on my hitting as I do everything else. I would
like a school to give me an opportunity to earn a spot to hit in college."
On what Drives her in Softball she says "I think what drives me the most is that I believe I can be as good as I want to be. I understand that I only have one life and will only be this age once, so why have any regrets? I give everything I’ve got. I have always wanted something that set me a part from most everyone else. In softball I found a home. "
Softball started to become more of a mental challenge than physically being on the field. I believe I thrive because of this and my determination to keep pushing myself sets me a part. It’s even bigger than winning games. I am independent and don’t mind
working by myself whether it is in the gym or in my cage. Setting goals and
accomplishing them is one thing, but I really do enjoy the preparation it takes to
get there. Grinding through a session even when I don’t really feel like it and
making myself do it, gives me such a sense of satisfaction. It is hard to explain.
Beating my mental side, has taught me that I can trust I am prepared. I don’t want
to look back and think if only I had done this or done that… Softball allows me to
compete against others but mostly against myself too and that keeps me going.
The trust I have learned through softball and trust in my teammates carries over into everything else I do. I feel God is always with me too and I am able to feel his strength.
On her inspirations in softball she added "I am proud to say my parents are my best friends. They have been through every single moment, all the highs and all the lows. It is a journey and a process and they have helped me to fully understand that.
Exploring Passions Beyond Softball
When not playing softball she says "I really enjoy going to watch sunsets and reflecting, both at the beach and in the mountains. I love to work-out and I am big on nutrition. I like to go to our family camp and spend time kayaking and driving the four wheeler. I enjoy shopping and going to farmer’s markets. I also like to swim in our pool. I am a very structured and organized person. One of my favorite things to do is keep a journal."
On her passions OUTSIDE of Softball she detailed "I am just passionate about being with family and friends. I don’t get to see my extended family and friends as much as I would like because of my schedule. My brother and the rest of my family had not seen me play in person since 6th grade so for them to be able to come watch my high school
games was very exciting."
She added "I like being a tourist in my own state when I have free time. I really enjoy visiting small rural touristy towns with great restaurants and small boutiques. I think
Maine is such an amazing state with endless beaches, lakes and mountains. I like
driving the back roads with my dad and blaring the radio. I believe I have a greater
gratitude for appreciating Maine’s beauty because I have traveled all over the
country due to softball." On how she celebrated the PGF Win To celebrate the PGF win she stated "my mother and I went with good friends of ours to the Taste of Maine Restaurant and ordered the World’s Largest Lobster Roll. It is pretty cool that places like that are right in my backyard and yet people from all over the world come to Maine just to eat lobster."
She says " I am also passionate about connecting with God through everything. I am a huge believer in recognizing signs and that everything happens for a reason, you just
need to trust it. I try to find positivity in everything and in each day. My Mojo-
Lewis team is faith based and I attend a Catholic high school. Both these
environments have led me to feel at peace and grow my faith."
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