For the first time in over a year, the reigning champions of the Warren Women's Softball League may be a bit vulnerable.

After cruising to an undefeated run last summer in defense of their initial title won in 2024, the team known as "Chaos" has two losses so far this season, as they vie for a coveted "three-peat" in 2026.

The WWSL is an intimate, four-team league run by commissioner Lisa Medici out of Jamiel Park. Alongside Chaos, the competition includes the Misfits, Slugger Athletics and Market Street Pub.

This season, the Sluggers and Market Street have proven to be formidable challengers, handing Chaos one loss apiece. Adding to the pressure of repeating again has been a particularly rainy summer that forced the league into a condensed schedule late in the season.

"We're making up like three games per team," Chaos co-captains Jillian Lewis and Kristen Furtado noted.

Despite teams playing multiple games in a single night just to catch up, the season has reached its home stretch. The semifinals will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 25, setting the stage for a single-elimination championship game on Thursday, Aug. 27.

The WWSL features a mix of veteran players, like Chaos's Lewis and Furtado, and a rotation of newcomers who are welcomed with open arms. Lewis and Furtado, who both currently live in Riverside and share roots in East Providence and Barrington, have each been playing in the league for 15 years. The league dates back to its beginnings at Veterans Memorial Park in Barrington before its move to Jamiel now 11 years ago.

Their dedication extends beyond the field: players handle pre-game field maintenance at Jamiel Park, implementing a new communal dirt-raking system this season, with a different team responsible before each contest. Because the community of players buys in to performing such chores, the league is better for it.

"We have a tractor in there now, and a nail drag," Lewis explained about the gradual strides the league has made. "Every year, slightly better."

Lewis and Furtado spent time on separate teams before joining forces to create Chaos. "Her team disbanded, I pulled her, and we've literally handpicked each player into our team," Lewis explained.

The resulting roster has managed to stay intact for the past four seasons; a rare feat in this league. What's their secret? The team functions on that cohesion and confidence in other's performance.

Furtado credits Lewis's managerial ability and knack for putting people in the right spots: "They're just so consistent in their positions that we really, truly trust each other. Like, hey, that's your spot. Cool. Stay there the whole time."

As for the rest of the season, the Sluggers are looking to avenge their loss to Chaos in last year's title game, and Market Street has already proven it can topple the champs, too. The Misfits round out the bracket, remaining hungry and competitive.

"Market Street beat us last week," Furtado said after Chaos swept the Misfits in a pair of games Thursday night, Aug. 6. "Market Street is always a competitor."

For veterans like Lewis and Furtado, the summer season really provides a chance to connect with their softball brethren. They acknowledge they've "calmed down" as they've gotten older. But any relaxed approach will shift once it's time for the championship playoffs.

"When you step on the field, you want to win," Furtado said. "Oh, yeah, 100%."

— Rouette, a resident of East Providence, is a junior majoring in Journalism at the University of Oregon and interning this summer with The Times-Gazette.