STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.—Milford’s remarkable summer came to an end Thursday, but not before the Connecticut state champions added another banner to an unforgettable tournament run.
After overwhelming Burkett (Mass.) 15-1 to capture the Little League 10U New England championship, Milford ran into a powerful Mid-Atlantic champ Bullskin (Pennsylvania) squad, falling 12-0 in the East Regional championship game.
Milford finishes the postseason as New England champions after rolling through the regional tournament with an explosive offense that was on full display in Wednesday’s title game.
Against Burkett, Milford erupted for five runs in the opening inning and never looked back, collecting 19 hits in the four-inning victory.
Sadie Dubin ignited the offense, finishing 3-for-3 with a home run, a double, three runs scored and three RBIs. Quinn Tierny matched her with three hits and drove in two runs, while Kinsley Persico added three hits and two RBIs.
Milford’s lineup produced from top to bottom. Aurora Hinden tripled and scored twice, Madeline Thennis collected two hits and an RBI, Hannah Whelan finished with two hits and two RBIs, McKenzie Faust doubled home two runs, Mackenzie Monaco added two hits, Mikaela Rodriguez drove in a run and Raegyn Gill reached base three times while scoring twice.
By the time Dubin launched a two-run homer in the fourth inning, Milford had already built a commanding lead.
Thennis handled the rest in the circle, allowing just one hit while striking out four over four innings. The lone Vermont run came in the third before Milford answered with five more runs in the fourth to invoke the mercy rule.
Later in the afternoon, however, Milford ran into a Bullskin club that seized control early.
Pennsylvania scored seven runs in the opening inning and added three more in the second before finishing off a 12-0 victory.
Milford was limited to two hits, with Whelan and Dubin recording the club’s only knocks.
Despite the final result, Milford’s postseason run was one of the best in program history. The team finished the summer season with a 15-2 record.
The Connecticut champions claimed the New England title with a balanced lineup, timely pitching and relentless offense, finishing one victory shy of a Northeast Regional championship.
For a group of 10-year-olds, it was a summer filled with memories that will last far longer than a final score.
Love Stories Like This?
Get Connecticut’s best softball features, breaking news, recruiting updates and exclusive interviews delivered to your inbox every Friday morning. Subscribe to the CT Softball Blog Weekly.
Leave a Reply