The CT Softball Blog

MILFORD—In Milford, softball success isn’t something players hear about.

They see it.

They watch it from the bleachers at Foran and Jonathan Law games. They pass championship banners hanging on the walls and fences. They grow up watching girls from their own neighborhoods advance to the Little League Softball World Series before starring under the lights in high school.

So when Milford’s 11-year-old Little League All-Stars captured the Connecticut state championship , they weren’t simply celebrating another title.

They were adding another chapter to one of Connecticut’s proudest softball traditions.

“It’s a softball town,” manager Jeanne Hoggatt said. “The girls know about the teams that came before them. They see the banners, they watch the World Series games and they want to be a part of that. They know you have to put in the work if you want to become an All-Star here.”

Now that work has earned Milford another trip beyond the state borders.

The state champions will travel to Maryland next week for the Little League 11-Year-Old East Region Tournament, where teams from New England and the East will battle for regional and East championships.

For many of these players, it won’t be an entirely new experience.

Last summer, much of the roster won district, sectional, state and New England championships as 10-year-olds before advancing to the East finals.

This year’s journey has looked different.

“So many more balls are in play this year,” Hoggatt said. “Last year our pitchers struck out a lot of hitters. This year our defense has had to make a lot more plays, and they’ve been phenomenal. We barely make any errors, which is very rare for an 11-year-old team.”

That defensive improvement starts inside the circle.

Milford features two frontline pitchers who alternate starts depending on the matchup.

Ryleigh Gregory relies on movement, location and changing speeds, consistently inducing weak ground balls.

Avery Cweklinski attacks hitters with velocity.

Against aggressive lineups, she’s capable of dominating.

In Milford’s semifinal victory, Cweklinski struck out 17 batters while allowing just one hit.

“I really have two aces,” Hoggatt said. “Ryleigh has tremendous control and movement. Avery brings a lot of speed. They complement each other really well.”

If needed, Emmaliese Villa Alicea gives Milford a third option in the circle, although Hoggatt admits it’s difficult taking one of her best defensive players out of center field.

“Emma gets unbelievable jumps on the ball,” Hoggatt said. “She’s our best outfielder.”

Behind the plate, Cali Zayas has made the transition from shortstop to catcher look seamless.

Armed with one of the strongest throwing arms on the team, she’s become the leader of Milford’s defense while learning to manage pitchers and call games.

“They steal once,” Hoggatt said with a laugh. “After that, they don’t steal anymore.”

Devyn Durand anchors the left side of the infield at shortstop after opening the postseason while recovering from a broken hand. Cweklinski and Gregory rotate between the circle and first base, Vivian Hayward patrols second with remarkable consistency, while Hailey Hoggatt has settled in at third base.

The outfield features Villa Alicea in center, Skylar Ucci in right and a rotation of Brynn Fallon and Sophia Arias in left.

Hoggatt also praised the development of reserve players Adelyn Uliano and Aurora Concepcion, saying both have continued to improve throughout the summer, while emphasizing the importance of every player on the roster.

“Everyone has contributed,” Hoggatt said. “Even if they’re not in the field, they’re contributing with their bats, bunts and by being ready when their number is called.”

That depth has helped Milford continue a standard that’s become expected throughout the city.

The players know exactly what wearing “Milford” across their jerseys means.

There’s pride.

There’s history.

And yes, there’s pressure.

“I think they feel it,” Hoggatt said. “They want to be like those older girls. They go watch them play. They know the tradition here.”

Beginning July 31 in Maryland, Milford will once again have an opportunity to represent not only Connecticut, but one of the state’s premier softball communities.

For a town where championship softball has become part of the culture, the next generation is proving it’s ready to carry the torch.

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