The state of Maine is, to be frank, not exactly a pipeline to talent for P4 college softball programs.

It’s understandable as the state’s population is about 1.4 million and 10 major U.S. cities are bigger than the entire state of Maine including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Antonio and San Diego.

Interestingly, a quick look at the University of Maine’s 2025 softball roster shows there are players from as far away as California, Arizona and Texas on the team – even Canada and England (!)—but none from instate for the Black Bears..,.

… but that’s looking to change in the next few years.

One of the best high school players nationally in the Class of 2027 is Addison DeRoche, an outstanding pitcher who committed to Florida State in the fall and was ranked No. 3 in the Line Drive Softball 2027 HOT 100 published in September.

Addison is from Westbrook, Maine and plays for the Tennessee-based Mojo 18U – Ramsey/Fishe powerhouse team. She’s twice been the Gatorade State Softball Player of the Year, has won a state title and numerous club championships.

It wouldn’t be a surprise, then, to learn that Addison is a mentor and friend to an upcoming phenom out of the Pine Tree State, a Class of 2031 pitcher named Audrey Sprague who very likely will follow in Addison’s accomplished footsteps.

From Cumberland, Maine, Audrey is not only an excellent softball player, but also a standout in soccer and high-level gymnastics.

Last year, she was part of the Maine State Travel Soccer champs with the Cumberland Soccer Club (CSC) U-13 team and was a finalist in the Maine gymnastics championships.

Softball, however, is where her future lies.

Last year for her Greely Middle School, she had 53 strikeouts in 33 innings and batted .425, but that only hints at how impressive she is already in her game.

Playing for one of the top travel ball programs in the East, the Rhode Island Thunder 14U National team led by coaches Dave Lotti and Joe Coupal, Audrey has already put herself on the map.

She’s attended camps at Alabama, Florida State and Hofstra and received strong praise and feedback.

Coach Coupal says:

“Audrey is a pleasure to coach. Not only is she very talented, she’s a hard worker who is competitive and humble… just a great person and teammate.”

One of the youngest on her Thunder team, she often batted in the 2-4 hole and led her team in RBI’s.

In the circle, the right-hander has a developing rise ball but keeps batters off balance mixing her drop and change up with precision, allowing only one walk of the 38 hitters she faced this past fall.

Audrey is also a talented outfielder and her coaches say you can expect to see her in the middle infield this year as well as “she covers an enormous amount of ground and is a true utility player,” per Coach Coupal.

Audrey is appreciative of the help she’s received this early in her career.

“I have learned so much from joining the 14U Rhode Island Thunder National team and from my pitching coach, Jen Hoar, as well as Addison,” she explains.

“Each has helped me grow as a player, teammate, and person.”

It’s not been easy, however, to develop into such a nationally-recognized prospect—the athlete makes the six-hour round-trip regularly to practice with her Thunder team and that doesn’t even account for the travel to club events across the nation.

But what has made it enjoyable, Audrey readily says, is her connection with Addison DeRoche, with whom she works out with three times a week.

The DeRoche and Sprague families are good friends and Addison’s mother, Bridget, is one of Audrey’s biggest supporters.

“We are huge fans of hers and know she is the real deal!” the softball mom exclaims.

“The key factor in both Addison and Audrey doing so well is that they both played 14U national competition at a young age. Addison started at 11 and Audrey joined this past fall at 12U.”

The younger player readily admits she wants to follow in the footsteps of her friend four years older and treasures the support Addison had given her to date.

In return, the future Seminole pitcher is equally appreciative of the time she’s had to know and work out with her young pupil.

“Audrey is focused, dedicated and mature,” Addison states. “She has the drive and understands the effort to succeed and, with tons of potential, the sky’s the limit for her.”

“Audrey has become a good friend, and I have enjoyed helping her. I can’t wait to see what her future holds!”

And, if it plays out like it appears right now, Maine will very likely producing another top-level P4 pitcher/utility player in a few years.

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Softball