MILFORD—The most fascinating thing about Milford Little League’s six-year stranglehold on the state softball championship is that every passing year most of the team is different.
Can the 2025 edition of Milford Little League Softball 12-year-old All-Stars make it seven in a row?
The next step of that journey starts on Friday when Milford plays host to Fairfield in the first game the best-of-three Section 1 championship series. The games are being held at Brewster Field in Milford.
The winner advances to the state final four tournament.
While everybody in the Milford camp is hoping the final outcome of this year’s summer run is another state title, manager Wayne Cole said his group isn’t feeling any pressure and just wants to play softball.
“At 12, I think they just want to play with their friends,” Cole said. “It would be great to win No. 7, but to get out there and have a good time, and just having fun. That’s what it’s all about.”
On paper, though, Milford once again has the tool to win it all.
“Honestly, I think the team is well-rounded,” Cole said. “We have a full team of hitters, so it’s hard picking a lineup. If it all comes together for us, good things that can happen.”
Makenzie Cole and Addison Horvack have been handling the pitching duties for Milford. Nia Richardson Palacio can also toe the rubber, if needed.
“So far, we’ve used the two pitchers, McKenzie and Addison,” Cole said. “Both are right-handers, fairly similar, but they have different pitches and are pretty accurate.”
Sophia Ferrara is the squad’s number one catcher with Sophia Capalbo as the next option. Capalbo, however, is normally Milford’s starting center fielder.
In the infield, Eliana Coladarci plays first base with Aubree O’Neil holding down fort at the hot corner at third base. Up the middle, second base Brooke Coon and shortstop Riley Ayres are both deft fielders who can make plays both routine and difficult.
In the outfielder, Capalbo anchors things in center with Molly Maziarz in left and Kendall Trez and Brooklyn Patterson sharing time in right field.
It has once again been a solid defense for Milford.
One of the advantages Milford has is while many Little League draw players from multiple travel teams, all of its players compete for the CT Barracudas during travel events.
As such, it is a squad that is used to playing together.
“They don’t really have to learn how to play with each other,” Cole said. “If it was strictly rec ball, there are five or six teams, we’d draw from, but because they all play for teams together they already know each other so well.”
Cole knows Fairfield—which includes many players who play for the CT Fury—is a talented group and Milford will have to play its best to advance to the next round.
“What’s it going to take to win?” Cole asked. “Good clean defense with solid pitching and making sure we put the ball into play. It will come down to hitting, as well, for sure.”
Title No. 7 might be on the line, but for the Milford Little League 12-Year-Old All-Stars, the team is looking to have some fun out there, as well.
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