On Tuesday, July 9, after a dramatic back-and-forth battle against the New Canaan Rams, the Wilton Warriors 10U All Star Softball Team prevailed to win the District Championship. Tuesday’s game was the culmination of three hard fought games, each of which was decided by only one run.
The first game against the New Canaan Rams went into extra innings, and although Wilton was on the losing end, the Warriors scored 14 runs on 12 hits. Avery Kugler and Vivian Van Balen both singled. Cara Boland and Kennedy Hammock each drove in three runs. Ella Messina garnered three walks, and Claire Mack, Jada Leporati, Bayley Baumgold and Sophia Pcolar each stole multiple bases. Despite the extra inning heartbreaking loss, the Warriors remained unfazed.
In their second game, this time facing the Darien Diamonds, the Warriors fell behind 1-7, but they took back the lead at 10-7 led by Abby Sauler’s two-run single. The Warriors’ batting barrage continued with Messina, Baumgold, Kugler, Sauler, Molly Morash and Hammock all driving in runs. Stella Matera walked four times and also stole two bases. Hammock and Morash fought hard on the mound and combined for eight strikeouts. Van Balen had a part in each of the last three outs, throwing two runners out at home and tagging a runner out at third with the bases loaded for the final out. In the end, the Warriors defeated the Darien Diamonds 13-12.
That set the stage for the epic rematch of the Wilton Warriors against the New Canaan Rams in game three. Wilton’s bats were on fire. In one inning, the Warriors 10U All Stars scored 13 runs on nine hits, including four RBIs by Lola Robinson. Overall, the team amassed 14 hits and 12 walks. Baumgold, Sauler, Messina, Van Balen, Morash and Robinson each collected two hits for the Warriors. Morash pitched 5-2/3 innings and striking out 12, including the last New Canaan Ram with the bases loaded to end the game. In the end, Wilton held on to win a dramatic 20-19 victory and became the District Champions. This victory highlighted the tremendous improvement by this same 10U All-Star Team, which in 2023 was swept out of District play after only two games.
“This was a total team victory. Every girl on the team participated and contributed to our ultimate success,” Wilton Warriors 10U All-Stars Head Coach John Morash said.
The Wilton Warrior 10U All-Stars move on to the Sectionals next week, with the first game on Monday, July 15, against Milford at Middlebrook School at 5:45 p.m. The community is invited to come and cheer on its Wilton Warriors 10U All-Stars.