Freshman Irie Shedd carries mother's softball legacy from Otter Valley to BFA-St. Albans

Twenty-one years after Morgan Rivers graduated from Otter Valley Union High School as a softball player under coach Pattie Candon, Rivers' daughter Irie Shedd is making her own mark on Vermont softball — as a freshman pitcher for a BFA-St. Albans program that sits atop the Division I rankings.

The Details

Irie Shedd, a left-handed pitcher and right-handed batter at BFA-St. Albans, pitched a complete-game 11-2 victory over Missisquoi on May 1, 2026, striking out 11 batters while walking just one. She added three hits and three RBIs at the plate in the same game, underscoring the two-way ability that has made her an immediate contributor for the top-ranked Thunderbirds.

Shedd's connection to Vermont softball runs through her family. Her mother, Morgan Rivers, graduated from Otter Valley Union High School in 2005, where she played for longtime coach Pattie Candon. Candon retired after the 2018 season with a career record of 347-236 and four state championships. Rivers recalled her former coach fondly: "I liked her style. She really worked to bring the team together."

Now living in Fairfield, Vermont, Rivers has remained involved in the sport. She took a pitching instruction course and sends videos of Shedd's mechanics to an instructor in Virginia for remote feedback, according to the Rutland Herald. Rivers said her daughter's ambitions extend beyond high school. "Her goal is definitely to play college softball," Rivers said.

Shedd also plays travel ball for Fury Platinum Northeast, based in Rhode Island, and has been named a USA Softball All-American, according to her PrepSoftball player profile. Scout evaluations list her pitching velocity at approximately 63 mph, while Rutland Herald reporting placed her velocity around 60 mph — a minor discrepancy likely reflecting the difference between showcase radar readings and in-game measurements.

At BFA-St. Albans, Shedd has landed with the winningest high school softball coach in Vermont history. Bert Berthiaume began coaching at BFA in 1987 and reached 500 career wins in 2021, according to the Burlington Free Press. His teams have captured eight Division I state championships, including back-to-back titles in 2001–2002 and 2005–2006.

Berthiaume praised Shedd's addition to the roster. "Irie is a freshman who is a great addition to our team. She along with Megan Gonyeau make a great duo for our team," Berthiaume said. "Irie has worked hard since she was a little leaguer to hone her craft. She has loads of potential on the diamond but more importantly, she is a wonderful young lady and a wonderful teammate."

BFA-St. Albans currently stands 5-0 and is ranked No. 1 in Vermont Division I early in the 2026 season. The program's rivalry with Missisquoi carries recent stakes: the Thunderbirds beat the Comets 3-2 in the 2024 Division I semifinals.

Context

This story centers on a family connection linking two eras of Vermont high school softball — Otter Valley under Pattie Candon in the mid-2000s and BFA-St. Albans under Bert Berthiaume in 2026. Morgan Rivers played at Otter Valley during Candon's tenure, which produced four state titles before Candon's retirement in 2018 with a 347-236 record. Rivers' daughter now pitches for Berthiaume, whose 500-win milestone in 2021 and eight Division I championships make him the state's most decorated softball coach. Rivers recalled that during her playing days, Fair Haven was Otter Valley's biggest rival.

What's Next

Shedd, still in her freshman season, has stated a goal of playing college softball, according to her mother. BFA-St. Albans continues its 2026 campaign as the top-ranked team in Division I. Berthiaume's assessment that Shedd and Megan Gonyeau form a strong pitching duo suggests the Thunderbirds will rely on that combination as they pursue another deep playoff run. Shedd's continued development under a coach with Berthiaume's track record — and with her mother's pitching instruction support — gives the story a natural trajectory through her high school career.