Addison DeRoche is one of the Top 2027 grads in the country and last month finished her freshman year of high school by helping her Cheverus High School team win the Maine Div. I state title by pitching a 21-strikeout masterpiece. Click HERE to read more of that accomplishment by the Maine Gatorade State Player of the Year.

Currently, she’s competing for Brittany Lewis’ Mojo 16U team and the right-hander is already drawing Power 5 interest from programs in the SEC, ACC and Big 12. Also a standout writer, the athlete loves to journal and document her softball journeys through writing.

Addison will occasionally share her thoughts and experiences with our Line Drive Softball audience detailing life lessons she’s learned on and off the softball fields.

Today, she writes about her biggest fans—her grandmothers—and how it’s bittersweet knowing she may not get to be with one beloved one much longer…

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My grandmothers have been my No. 1 diehard fans since my Little League Days. No one was more excited to see me play my freshmen year for Cheverus High School.

On Opening Day for pitchers and catchers, my Mom’s mother—my Grandma—was diagnosed with Stage 4 ovarian cancer. Then, a few days later my Dad’s snowbird mother—whom I call “Nannie”— broke her ankle which required surgery delaying my paternal grandparents return from Florida.

The season was not going as I envisioned after I had been excited to play in front of family and friends in person for the first time in four years.

I did not play middle school softball and instead traveled to Missouri twice to play with Select Fastpitch during my seventh grade season and twice to Georgia to play with Mojo-Lewis in the spring of my eighth grade year.

I joined the Rhode Island Thunder 14U National team in my sixth grade year and, therefore, my grandparents as well as my older brother, Ben had not seen me play softball live since the fifth grade. They could only watch me play on GameChanger.

Last August, I joined Mojo-Lewis 16U so there was a lot of build up for my family and friends to finally get the chance to watch me play in person during my high school season.

It was not lost on me that on opening day of my first high school home game, Grandma was released from the hospital and entered a rehab facility.

The realization that she may never get the chance to see me play in person really set in.

That day, in my debut in the circle, I threw a shutout versus a school that has won eight state championships and Grandma promptly shared that win with all the nursing staff at the rehab facility!

Initially, when my Nannie and Papa were able to fly home from Florida, my Papa was the only one able to attend my games. I managed to hit a home run for him in the first game he attended and then threw back-to-back no hitters and hit another home run to follow that up.

His presence definitely brought my team positive vibes! Meanwhile, my Nannie was at home anxiously awaiting her turn.

Thankfully, my Grandma was released from rehab and was able to return home. Eventually, and as a surprise, my Mom’s best friend since sixth grade—who is my Mom’s godmother—helped get my Grandma to a home game.

I was surprised beyond belief and so excited to see my Grandma on the sidelines! It turned out that was the only game of the season she was able to attend, but I will cherish it forever!

As the weather warmed up and my Nannie got more stable in her walking boot, she too was finally able to see me play in person, including seeing my team win the first-ever state championship in my school’s history—one in which I flew home from the Top Gun tournament to play in.

Each time I stepped into the circle throughout the season, I could feel my community’s energy. It was surreal how many friends, family and coworkers of my parents came out to watch my high school team play. After most games, I’d go visit my Grandma on the way home and share all the details.

I can’t forget to mention the presence of my maternal Grandfather—he passed away two years ago as I landed in Newbury, Florida for a softball tournament.

My mom and I got the call as we were driving to our hotel. My Grandpa had a sports trivia mind, and everyone says it was passed on to me. I was blown away when friends of my Grandpa’s started to come out to support me and my high school team in his memory.

Fast forward to club ball and my Grandma’s decline.

My Mojo-Lewis team was scheduled to play in the Triple Crown P5 Invitational and the Colorado Sparkler. There was some discussion of whether my family would go or not. My Grandma had begun at home hospice care, but she was insistent on my going to Colorado.

She’d have it no other way!

My teammates and I had an incredible two weeks. We finished 4-1 at the P5 Invitational, only allowing eight runs through five games. Then, in the Colorado Sparkler, we went 5-0 landing our team in the ESPN3 game!

What a special gift for my grandparents back home to see me play on ESPN 3!

My team then finished 9th overall in the Colorado Sparkler National Power Pool. On Sunday in the win or go home game at the Sparkler, I gave up a two-run home run in the top of the 7th inning just two outs away from the win. We lost 6-5 and placed 9th instead of 5th or better.

I was so upset the rest of the weekend—truly beside myself—and wanted that pitch back. I replayed the inning again and again in my head. In softball when failure happens, it can seem like world is ending.

However, coming home and seeing my Grandma in the shape she is in now has showed me that no moment in sports will ever be larger than life. I have prayed a lot about this and have realized God has a plan bigger than I can comprehend.

Everything will be okay.

So far, 2024 has been a remarkable year for me:

• I was named to the Sports Illustrated Top 20 Freshmen to Watch,
• Was named to Softball America’s 2027 Hot Watch List
• Won a State Championship,
• Earned Maine Gatorade Player of the Year honors,
• Played on ESPN3,
• Was named the SMAA Conference Player of the Year, Pitcher of the Year and 1st Team All Star,
• Was selected as the MaxPreps State Player of the Year,
• Was honored to make the 2^nd Team Max Preps Underclassman All-America

I’ve always had a team-first mentality and never been one to care about personal accolades yet knowing my Grandma will not see me fulfill my dream of playing in college, I am proud and thrilled that I personally accomplished all I did this year and was able to share it with my Grandma.

It is bittersweet comfort.

There is no question that my freshman season will be one to remember on so many levels. I have been tested emotionally and mentally more than once, but the community support I received and my Grandma’s cancer fight has my taught me, more than ever, to never take anything for granted.

Time is a thief and moments spent with my loved ones are more important than any win, loss or any accomplishments I may achieve.

This, I visited with my Grandma realizing it may be the last time I will be able to tell her I love her here on earth.  Currently, I’m with my Mojo team competing at the Atlanta Legacy and next week we play in the PGF National Championships.

Believing in my strong faith, I trust my Grandma’s spirit will be with me always, especially each time I cross the white line.

— Addison DeRoche for Line Drive Softball