A Vermont high school softball powerhouse is looking to run back its winning ways on the circle in 2026. Bellows Free Academy softball is thrilled to be back practicing on its home field for the first time this week, as the Comets look to defend their 2025 state championship title. “We’re trying to carry that momentum from last year,” said BFA-St. Albans senior catcher Nora Tatro. “We have a really good group of girls. We all get along. If we just go out there and play the best we can to the best of our abilities, I know we’ll have some success along the way.”Their 2025 Vermont Principals’ Association state championship win against Essex High School capped off a perfect 18-0 undefeated season for BFA-St. Albans. The Comets are looking to continue to build on a strong team chemistry, which they say was a key cog to winning the 2025 state title, into trying to earn another state title in 2026. “We spent a lot of time with each other outside of practice to really grow our bond off the field,” said BFA-St. Albans senior third baseman Aubrey Marchessault. “We learned to really talk with each other on the field with helped us with our success.”BFA-St. Albans returns several players from last year’s championship run. Nine seniors return to the roster this season alongside the team’s only junior, Marah McGinn, who was a standout outfielder and leadoff batter for the Comets. This group is confident their experience will play a key role into help themselves start out the season strong right from their first games. “I’ve played with them throughout my whole entire life,” said BFA-St. Albans senior pitcher Megan Gonyeau. “We have a lot of strength and connections coming back, and we can use that to your advantage.” Another key piece who has been critical to BFA-St. Albans overall legacy on the circle is head coach Bert Berthiaume. The VPA Hall-of-Fame head coach has won all 11 state championships for the Comets. He’s also accumulated 580 career wins and 20 Metro regular-season titles in his coaching career. The Comets not only respect Berthiaume for his accolades, but also for his leadership and motivational capabilities as a coach. Marchessault said he played a pivotal role in her recovery from a torn ACL injury, which she sustained during her sophomore year on the circle. “Working with Bert to get back on the field has really meant a lot,” Marchessault said. “He helped me come back and back to where I am today … he’s such a great coach and really pushes us to be the best that we can be on and off the field.”BFA-St. Albans starts its regular season with a non-league game against Missisquoi Valley High School on Friday, April 17, before a highly anticipated contest against Essex in a rematch of last year’s state championship game on Tuesday, April 21.
A Vermont high school softball powerhouse is looking to run back its winning ways on the circle in 2026.
Bellows Free Academy softball is thrilled to be back practicing on its home field for the first time this week, as the Comets look to defend their 2025 state championship title.
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“We’re trying to carry that momentum from last year,” said BFA-St. Albans senior catcher Nora Tatro. “We have a really good group of girls. We all get along. If we just go out there and play the best we can to the best of our abilities, I know we’ll have some success along the way.”
Their 2025 Vermont Principals’ Association state championship win against Essex High School capped off a perfect 18-0 undefeated season for BFA-St. Albans. The Comets are looking to continue to build on a strong team chemistry, which they say was a key cog to winning the 2025 state title, into trying to earn another state title in 2026.
“We spent a lot of time with each other outside of practice to really grow our bond off the field,” said BFA-St. Albans senior third baseman Aubrey Marchessault. “We learned to really talk with each other on the field with helped us with our success.”
BFA-St. Albans returns several players from last year’s championship run. Nine seniors return to the roster this season alongside the team’s only junior, Marah McGinn, who was a standout outfielder and leadoff batter for the Comets. This group is confident their experience will play a key role into help themselves start out the season strong right from their first games.
“I’ve played with them throughout my whole entire life,” said BFA-St. Albans senior pitcher Megan Gonyeau. “We have a lot of strength and connections coming back, and we can use that to your advantage.”
Another key piece who has been critical to BFA-St. Albans overall legacy on the circle is head coach Bert Berthiaume. The VPA Hall-of-Fame head coach has won all 11 state championships for the Comets. He’s also accumulated 580 career wins and 20 Metro regular-season titles in his coaching career.
The Comets not only respect Berthiaume for his accolades, but also for his leadership and motivational capabilities as a coach. Marchessault said he played a pivotal role in her recovery from a torn ACL injury, which she sustained during her sophomore year on the circle.
“Working with Bert to get back on the field has really meant a lot,” Marchessault said. “He helped me come back and back to where I am today … he’s such a great coach and really pushes us to be the best that we can be on and off the field.”
BFA-St. Albans starts its regular season with a non-league game against Missisquoi Valley High School on Friday, April 17, before a highly anticipated contest against Essex in a rematch of last year’s state championship game on Tuesday, April 21.
