The Bristol Little League Softball 12-year-old All-Stars were scheduled to go wheels-up today—destination Greenville, North Carolina and the 2026 Little League Softball World Series.
These 12 players have done nothing but win since first donning the Bristol colors, losing just twice over the past three summer seasons (42-2), including winning state titles at all three Little League age-group levels. Additionally, this squad also won a Northeast Regional championship as 11-year-olds and a New England championship just last week with a thrilling come-from-behind 4-3 win over Rhode Island to advance to Greenville.
Today, we introduce you to all 12 Bristol players, who took time out before heading to the airport to go “Extra Innings” with the CT Softball Blog
• • •
LUCY BASTIAANSE
Uniform Number: 5
Positions: SS/P
School: Chippens Hill Middle School
FIRST INNING: What are you most excited about when it comes to playing in the Little League Softball World Series?
LUCY BASTIAANSE: Being able to play with my best friends.
SECOND INNING: What would be your perfect walk-up song?
LB: ‘Superhero’
THIRD INNING: What rituals or superstitions do you have a softball player?
LB: I always do my hair in some kind of bubble braid for each game.
FOURTH INNING: What is one thing none of your teammates know about you?
LB: I need a fan blowing on my face at night.
FIFTH INNING: What is one place you hope to visit in your life?
LB: Turks and Caicos.
SIXTH INNING: What is your favorite pregame snack?
LB: Chocolate covered pretzels (Flipz)
SEVENTH INNING: If you could spend one day hanging out with anybody in the history of the world who would it be and why?
LB: Paige Bueckers, so she could show me and tell me all of her moves and skills.
EIGHTH INNING: Which teacher has had the biggest impact on you so far in your life?
LB: Mrs. Lucid
NINTH INNING: What do you want to be when you grow up?
LB: Physical therapist
TENTH INNING What one word that best describes you?
LB: Ambitious
• • •
AVERY COLLINS
JERSEY NUMBER: 00
POSITIONS: 3B/P/SS
SCHOOL: Kennedy Middle School
FIRST INNING: What are you most excited about when it comes to playing in the Little League Softball World Series?
AVERY COLLINS: Meeting all of the new teams and trading pins with them.
SECOND INNING: What would be your perfect walk-up song?
AC: I believe that we will win
THIRD INNING: What rituals or superstitions do you have a softball player?
AC: I have to slick back my hair before every game
FOURTH INNING: What is one thing none of your teammates know about you?
AC: I played Gramma Tala in my 5th grade school play, ‘Moana’
FIFTH INNING: What is one place you hope to visit in your life?
AC: Hawaii
SIXTH INNING: What is your favorite pre-game snack?
AC: BBQ Frito twists
SEVENTH INNING: If you could spend one day hanging out with anybody in the history of the world, who would it be and why?
AC: Michael Jordan because in my opinion he is the greatest athlete of all time
EIGHTH INNING: Which teacher has had the biggest impact on you so far in your life?
AC: My third grade teacher, Ms. Cavanaugh
NINTH INNING: What do you want to be when you grow up?
AC: A pro softball player
TENTH INNING: What one word best describes you?
AC: Uplifting
• • •
DAKOTA GREEN
JERSEY NUMBER: 99
POSITIONS: C/3B
SCHOOL: Northeast Middle School
FIRST INNING: What are you most excited about when it comes to playing in the Little League Softball World Series?
DAKOTA GREEN: I am most excited about meeting new players from other teams and countries
SECOND INNING: What would be your perfect walk-up song?
DG: ‘P.I.M.P.’, by 50 Cent
THIRD INNING: What rituals or superstitions do you have a softball player?
DG: My cheeks squeezed by Coach Kalat, drumming a cheer, and slushies
FOURTH INNING: What is one thing none of your teammates know about you?
DG: They know everything
FIFTH INNING: What is one place you hope to visit in your life?
DG: I would like to visit Turks and Caicos
SIXTH INNING: What is your favorite pre-game snack?
DG: My pre-game snacks are flavor-blasted Goldfish, slushies and donuts.
SEVENTH INNING: If you could spend one day hanging out with anybody in the history of the world, who would it be and why?
DG: I’m not sure
EIGHTH INNING: Which teacher has had the biggest impact on you so far in your life?
DG: The teacher with the most impact would be my kindergarten teacher because they started my elementary school journey
NINTH INNING: What do you want to be when you grow up?
DG: I would like to be a pharmacist
TENTH INNING: What one word best describes you?
DG: The word that best describes me is “chill”
• • •
LUCY KALAT
JERSEY NUMBER: 1
POSITIONS: CF/P
SCHOOL: Chippens Hill Middle School
FIRST INNING: What are you most excited about when it comes to playing in the Little League Softball World Series?
LUCY KALAT: Meeting teams from around the world and the whole experience.
SECOND INNING: What would be your perfect walk-up song?
LK: ‘I Believe That We Will Win.’
THIRD INNING: What rituals or superstitions do you have a softball player?
LK: Same pregame warm up routine.
FOURTH INNING: What is one thing none of your teammates know about you?
LK: No answer.
FIFTH INNING: What is one place you hope to visit in your life?
LK: Hawaii
SIXTH INNING: What is your favorite pre-game snack?
LK: Banana
SEVENTH INNING: If you could spend one day hanging out with anybody in the history of the world, who would it be and why?
LK: Abraham Lincoln because he freed the slaves.
EIGHTH INNING: Which teacher has had the biggest impact on you so far in your life?
LK: Miss Slotnick (4th and 5th grade)
NINTH INNING: What do you want to be when you grow up?
LK: Psychologist
TENTH INNING: What one word best describes you?
LK: Determind.
• • •
KEEVA KNOWLES
JERSEY NUMBER: 10
POSITIONS: 1st base
SCHOOL: Bristol Arts and Innovation Magnet School
FIRST INNING: What are you most excited about when it comes to playing in the Little League Softball World Series?
KEEVA KNOWLES: I’m most excited to make new memories and meet new people. I’m also excited to get new gear.
SECOND INNING: What would be your perfect walk-up song?
KK: ‘Enter Sandman’ by Metallica
THIRD INNING: What rituals or superstitions do you have as a softball player?
KK: I can never wear anything but a plain ponytail to a game; whenever I don’t, I get bad luck.
FOURTH INNING: What is one thing none of your teammates know about you?
KK: Well, our team is very close so we don’t really keep secrets; we are like siblings.
FIFTH INNING: What is one place you hope to visit in your life?
KK: I want to visit either Iceland or Scotland.
SIXTH INNING: What is your favorite pre-game snack?
KK: A yogurt bowl with blueberries.
SEVENTH INNING: If you could spend one day hanging out with anybody in the history of the world who would it be and why?
KK: I would want to hang out with my grandpa because he passed away before I was born.
EIGHTH INNING: Which teacher has had the biggest impact on you so far in your life?
KK: My theater teacher from BAIMS, Mrs. Carroll, because she brought out a side of me that I didn’t know existed.
NINTH INNING: What do you want to be when you grow up?
KK: My dream job is an actor but I’ll most likely want to be a lawyer.
TENTH INNING: What one word best describes you?
KK: Chatty
• • •
AVA LEFURGEY
JERSEY NUMBER: 2
POSITIONS: P/OF
SCHOOL: Northeast Middle School
FIRST INNING: What are you most excited about when it comes to playing in the Little League Softball World Series?
AVA LEFURGEY: Definitely getting to play other countries and to learn about what they do and what are some of their languages.
SECOND INNING: What would be your perfect walk-up song?
AL: ‘Best I Ever Had’ by Drake
THIRD INNING: What rituals or superstitions do you have a softball player?
AL: Drawing a cross every time I step up to the plate, or when I go out to the mound
FOURTH INNING: What is one thing none of your teammates know about you?
AL: I like to drive cars
FIFTH INNING: What is one place you hope to visit in your life?
AL: Italy
SIXTH INNING: What is your favorite pre-game snack?
AL: I wouldn’t call this a snack , but definitely slushies with my teammate
SEVENTH INNING: If you could spend one day hanging out with anybody in the history of the world, who would it be and why?
AL: All my cousins because I don’t get to see them often.
EIGHTH INNING: Which teacher has had the biggest impact on you so far in your life?
AL: Mr. Phelan
NINTH INNING: What do you want to be when you grow up?
AL: A doctor
TENTH INNING: What one word best describes you?
AL: Out-going.
• • •
ALEX PATTERSON
NUMBER: 27
POSITION: OF
SCHOOL: Not listed.
FIRST INNING: What are you most excited about when it comes to playing in the Little League Softball World Series?
ALEX PATTERSON: I am most excited to meet other players from around the world. I can’t believe we will all be there to play at the same time
SECOND INNING: What would be your perfect walk-up song?
AP: ‘24K Magic’ by Bruno Mars
THIRD INNING: What rituals or superstitions do you have a softball player?
AP: It is more like a ritual. Before all of the away games that we drive to, my dad stops at Dunkin and I get a refresher and a wake-up wrap for the ride.
FOURTH INNING: What is one thing none of your teammates know about you?
AP: I am good at cooking and baking.
FIFTH INNING: What is one place you hope to visit in your life?
AP: Italy
SIXTH INNING: What is your favorite pre-game snack?
AP: Grapes and a wake-up wrap.
SEVENTH INNING: If you could spend one day hanging out with anybody in the history of the world, who would it be and why?
AP: My favorite softball player is Jennie Finch. I know she doesn’t play anymore, but I look up to her because of the way she carried herself on the field. She still has clinics for young players. She also wore #27 which is my number. I dressed up as her for the “wax museum” in elementary school. I just think it would be fun to talk to her about what it is like to be such a great player and role model. I would ask her about playing softball for Team USA in the Olympics.
EIGHTH INNING: Which teacher has had the biggest impact on you so far in your life?
AP: Mrs. Lafferty was my math teacher this past year and she is also my softball coach for the school team. She goes out of her way to ask about my sports and my sisters. She also jokes around a lot like I do. She reached out during the regional tournament to say she was proud of me.
NINTH INNING: What do you want to be when you grow up?
AP: I want to be a teacher. I think maybe Pre-K or Kindergarten. I have always liked helping with younger kids, especially my cousins.
TENTH INNING: What one word best describes you?
AP: Strong
• • •
JULIANA PAVLAK
JERSEY NUMBER: 6
POSITIONS: OF
SCHOOL: Home schooled
FIRST INNING: What are you most excited about when it comes to playing in the Little League Softball World Series?
JULIANA PAVLAK: Meeting different teams and enjoying the whole World Series experience.
SECOND INNING: What would be your perfect walk-up song?
JP: ‘The Days (Notion Remix)’ by Crystal & Notion
THIRD INNING: What rituals or superstitions do you have a softball player?
JP: Eating apples during the game
FOURTH INNING: What is one thing none of your teammates know about you?
JP: That I’m a bookworm
FIFTH INNING: What is one place you hope to visit in your life?
JP: Europe
SIXTH INNING: What is your favorite pre-game snack?
JP: Apples
SEVENTH INNING: If you could spend one day hanging out with anybody in the history of the world, who would it be and why?
JP: I’d like to meet Derek Jeter, to learn how he came to be the player that he was.
EIGHTH INNING: Which teacher has had the biggest impact on you so far in your life?
JP: My kindergarten teacher Mrs. Peck
NINTH INNING: What do you want to be when you grow up?
JP: A writer
TENTH INNING: What one word best describes you?
JP: Awkward
• • •
FAITHMARIE SOTO
JERSEY NUMBER: 4
POSITIONS: OF
SCHOOL: Chippens Hill Middle School
FIRST INNING: What are you most excited about when it comes to playing in the Little League Softball World Series?
FAITHMARIE SOTO: Meeting new people from all over the world
SECOND INNING: What would be your perfect walk-up song?
FMS: ‘Soul for Real’ by Candy Rain
THIRD INNING: What rituals or superstitions do you have a softball player?
FMS: I pray before every game
FOURTH INNING: What is one thing none of your teammates know about you?
FMS: I have two older sisters
FIFTH INNING: What is one place you hope to visit in your life?
FMS: Puerto Rico
SIXTH INNING: What is your favorite pre-game snack?
FMS: Cheez-Itz
SEVENTH INNING: If you could spend one day hanging out with anybody in the history of the world who would it be and why?
FMS: Einstein because he was one of the smartest people in the world
EIGHTH INNING: Which teacher has had the biggest impact on you so far in your life?
FMS: Mrs. Lucid and Mr. Bernier, because they were always there when I needed help.
NINTH INNING: What do you want to be when you grow up
FMS: A hairdresser
TENTH INNING: What one word best describes you?
FMS: Loud
• • •
ELLIE TISCIA
JERSEY NUMBER: 7
POSITIONS: RF, C, 3B
SCHOOL: Northeast Middle School
FIRST INNING: What are you most excited about when it comes to playing in the Little League Softball World Series?
ELLIE TISCIA: Playing great teams from across the world.
SECOND INNING: What would be your perfect walk-up song?
ET: ‘Shabang’ by Drake
THIRD INNING: What rituals or superstitions do you have a softball player?
ET: Our pregame drum song.
FOURTH INNING: What is one thing none of your teammates know about you?
ET: I love the show “The Rookie.”
FIFTH INNING: What is one place you hope to visit in your life?
ET: Italy
SIXTH INNING: What is your favorite pre-game snack?
ET: Goldfish
SEVENTH INNING: If you could spend one day hanging out with anybody in the history of the world who would it be and why?
ET: Benson Boone because I love his music.
EIGHTH INNING: Which teacher has had the biggest impact on you so far in your life?
ET: Ms. Zogaj. She made her classroom a fun place to be.
NINTH INNING: What do you want to be when you grow up?
ET: Nurse or Doctor
TENTH INNING: What one word best describes you?
ET: Fun
• • •
MARY THOMPSON
JERSEY NUMBER: 12
POSITION: Second Bae
SCHOOL: Har-bur Middle School
FIRST INNING: What are you most excited about when it comes to playing in the Little League Softball World Series?
MARY THOMPSON: Meeting girls from around the world and receiving new playing equipment.
SECOND INNING: What would be your perfect walk-up song?
MT: ‘The Champion’ by Carrie Underwood
THIRD INNING: What rituals or superstitions do you have a softball player?
MT: Going to the batting cages before games and eating Mac & Cheese
FOURTH INNING: What is one thing none of your teammates know about you?
MT: We spend so much time together that they know everything about me.
FIFTH INNING: What is one place you hope to visit in your life?
MT: Hawaii
SIXTH INNING: What is your favorite pre-game snack?
MT: Oreo protein bar
SEVENTH INNING: If you could spend one day hanging out with anybody in the history of the world who would it be and why?
MT: George Washington, I want to learn how he overcame difficult challenges to help form our country.
EIGHTH INNING: Which teacher has had the biggest impact on you so far in your life?
MT: Ms. Sheehy, 7th grade math teacher
NINTH INNING: What do you want to be when you grow up?
MT: Either an anchor on TV or in finance
TENTH INNING: What one word best describes you?
MT: Determined
• • •
MAKINNLEY WHITLOCK
JERSEY NUMBER: 3
POSITIONS: LF/CF/SS/P (mainly LF in this tournament)
SCHOOL: Chippens Hill Middle School (based on redistricting, moving to Northeast Middle School in 2027
FIRST INNING: What are you most excited about when it comes to playing in the Little League Softball World Series?
MAKINNLEY WHITLOCK: Meeting other teams from other countries and other regions of the US.
SECOND INNING: What would be your perfect walk-up song?
MW: ‘Basic Being Basic’ by DJO
THIRD INNING: What rituals or superstitions do you have a softball player?
MW: After a good game, try to have the same routine ahead of the next game.
FOURTH INNING: What is one thing none of your teammates know about you?
MW: I don’t keep any secrets from my teammates.
FIFTH INNING: What is one place you hope to visit in your life?
MW: Somewhere in Asia
SIXTH INNING: What is your favorite pre-game snack?
MW: I don’t like to eat before a game.
SEVENTH INNING: If you could spend one day hanging out with anybody in the history of the world who would it be and why?
MW: Kendra Falby (former Florida Gators CF), because she’s a really good outfielder and I want to learn a lot from her.
EIGHTH INNING: Which teacher has had the biggest impact on you so far in your life?
MW: Mrs. Lucid
NINTH INNING: What do you want to be when you grow up?
MW: A nurse, pediatrician or physician
TENTH INNING: What one word best describes you?
MW: Academic.
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