The CT Softball Blog

BRISTOL—The Bristol Softball 11-year-old All-Stars were initially going to skip playing this summer’s age-group tournament.

After all, the team won the 10-year-old state title the year earlier and then it went on to win the 10-year-old New England championship, as well.

With no prior tournament beyond the state tournament for 11-year-olds, those who led the program figured it would focus on a higher competition summer and try to chase back-to-back titles in the 12-year-old “majors” division.

When Little League added a higher-stakes Northeast regional tournament to the 11-year-old schedule, however, the thought process changed.

So Bristol won the Connecticut state championship, the Sectional crown and the state title once again this summer and next month will head to Havre De Grace, Maryland, for a Northeast regional championship tournament—The East Region Invitational from Aug. 1-5.

“Once we found out they opened the regionals up to 11-year-olds, we decided to come back,” Bristol manager Anthony Lefurgey said. “It’s super exciting to know we have another chance to win the regionals.”

Nine of the 12 members from the 10-year-old state champs have returned and with some new players added, Bristol has had a dominant summer.

During its District, Sectional and State tournament, Bristol has outscored its opponents by an 81-5 count and four of those runs came in the state championship game.

In fact, in that game, Milford raced out to a 4-0 lead.

“We started slow and gave up four runs in the first inning,” Lefurgey said. “But we stuck with it and we never put our heads down. I’m so proud of them for that.”

Bristol didn’t give up another run and found a way to score five runs to win the game, and the state championship, 5-4.

“Honestly, this team plays together year-round and we’ve seen it,” Lafurgey said. “Our bats have always been solid, but what I didn’t expect at 11 years old was the maturity we showed, coming off that field after 35 minutes of 90 degree heat, trailing by four runs, but they ran off the field and that bench was rocking.”

Ava Lefurgey, the manager’s daughter, is the ace in the circle for Bristol.

“She’s a very special pitcher, but I can’t take all the credit. She puts the work in,” Coach Lefurgey said. “She just likes to be in the middle of it. She likes the pressure and likes to be on the mound. I’ve seen it for three years. She just loves going to lessons.”

The Bristol squad has another excellent pitcher in Lucy Bastiaanse, who has combined with Ava Lefurgey for a number of no-hitters this summer. Bastiaanse, however, is also a stalwart shortstop and Bristol is solid defensively with her there.

Behind the plate is Maddy Yopp, who has caught Ava Lefurgey for three years and the two have a special catcher-pitcher connection.

“There is no better combination than those two,” Anthony Lefurgey said. “I call most of the pitches, but I have no problem letting Maddy call some. They’re best friends and they have a great connection on and off the field.

At first base is Keeva Knowles, the team’s “power hitter,” who hit her first career “over-the-fence” home run this summer. At second base is Mary Thompson while Dakota Green holds down the fort at third base.

In the outfield, Lucy Kalat plays center between Ellie Tiscia in right and Makinnley Whitlock in left.

Alexandra Patterson, FaithMarie Ramos and Juliana Pavlak are the extra hitters who add depth defensively to the outfield, as well.

“We were 9U when we all started together and right after all-star play we wanted to play more games so we played as the Bristol Gators,” Lefurgey said. “It’s just a small travel team, but we all play together and we’ll do some winter ball at the dome up by Lake George, and then come back to rec ball during the spring.”

It’s a special group that has helped lead a resurgence in the Bristol Little League. The Bristol Junior League All-Stars also won a state title this summer (A story on that team will be posted in the future).

As good a summer as it’s been for Bristol’s Little League Softball 11-year-old Stars, it’s still not over.

This team wants to repeat what it did a year ago as 10 year olds.

“One hundred percent,” Lefurgey agreed. “These girls are focused, they practice hard and they have each other’s backs.”

And speaking of backs they are back in the Northeast Regional tournament and this time they’re looking to win that, as well.

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