FAIRFIELD—The Fairfield Little League Softball All-Stars love playing together.
Ever since they first stepped over the baselines and onto the field, their summer runs through multiple District 2 championships have been as much about winning as it has about just being together, playing together and having fun.
“This team is really special,” said Fairfield 12s manager Ellen Kiernan. “They want to play for each other and they enjoy playing together. They enjoy being together and being with their friends and it makes for a very special bond.”
Fairfield won the District 2 championship this week, sweeping a best-of-five series against Trumbull, three games to none.
The team’s work, however, is not done. On Friday, it heads to Brewster Field in Milford for the start of the Section 1 tournament. The winner of this best-of-three series advances to the state’s final four next month.
“I mean I hope they’re playing well into July and into August,” Kiernan said. “That’s really the goal. I think this is something they’ve been working toward for three years now.”
As 10-year-olds, Fairfield thought it had the team to make it to the state tournament, but a shocking loss to Amity in the sectional tournament left a bitter taste in their mouths.
Since, the Fairfield girls have been working hard for their next shot to advance beyond sectionals.
“We thought we had them,” Kiernan said. “We lost in the final game and you leave with that sour taste in your mouth, knowing we were the better team and wishing we had one more game. That kind of stuck around for a lot of these girls and the coaches.”
Eight players return from that team so a chance to advance to the state tournament’s final four is once again in reach, if Fairfield can get past a very strong Milford Little League program.
The battery for Fairfield includes pitcher Maddy Kelley, who threw a no-hitter in Game 2 of the District tourney, and catcher Sloane Sokol.
“She’s really peaking at the right time,” Kiernan said of Kelley. “That’s both pitching-wise and hitting-wise. She throws a couple of different pitches and can hit her location.”
Added Kiernan about Sokol: “She’s seen all our innings there. She’s another hard worker and she’s got so much heart and so much fight. Catching through the heat this week, and everybody had to deal with it, but we didn’t hear a peep out of her.”
Around the infield are third baseman Sierra Stephens, shortstop Morgan Kiernan (who also pitches) and second baseman Stella Rosado. Stephens and Morgan Kiernan are both strong-armed infielders who can make the throw to first, where first-year 12YO All-Star Molly Flynn plays.
“(Molly) has proven her worth,” Coach Kiernan said. “She’s actually one of our 11 year olds and hasn’t been with the main group, but she has earned her spot. It was more like where can we put her? It’s not her primary position, but she’s so athletic.”
In the outfield, in left, center and right, respectively, are Vanessa Ritchie, Avery Hillman and Sophia Tiriolo. Izzy Hegedus will see time in the outfield while Michaela Messina is an infield utility player who will find time.
Fairfield could soon be bolstered by the return of Brianna Lavanda, who was injured early in the All-Star practice process, as well.
Hegedus and Ritchie are also first-year 12 All-Stars along with Flynn.
“The three of them mixed into this group nicely,” Coach Kiernan said. “I think all the girls have been so welcoming. All they want to do is go out there and play softball for Fairfield.”
Up and down the line-up, Fairfield has batters than can put the bat on the ball, but they are also savvy enough to know that a walk is just as good as a hit sometimes—a big factor in winning the District 2 series over Trumbull.
Up next, however, is Milford, a powerful Little League program that has won six straight state titles.
Fairfield will just go out there and play its game, according to Kiernan.
“We’re just going to show up and play softball,” the manager said. “It doesn’t matter who is in the other dugout. We’re going to play softball, play our game tomorrow night and the whole series.”
That’s what always mattered the most to this group: Playing together.
Starting Friday, the Fairfield 12s have another chance to do just that.
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