Milford LL 12u District Softball Team Opens With Win Over Rival

The Milford Little League 12U District All-Star softball team opened up District Tournament Pool Play on the road with 5-0 victory over North Branford Monday night. Coming into tonight, North Branford had won this match up the last 2 times these two teams met on opening night of District Pool Play. In both victories, North Branford dominated Milford on the mound posting 10-0 and 1-0 wins respectively, each time on 1-hitters. However, in both years, Milford defeated North Branford in the District Finals. This year, Milford's dominating pitching was the difference.

Milford, the defending New England Regional Champions flashed some leather in the top of the first inning when North Branford led off the game with a hit by pitch. Milford Pitcher Madyson Bull fielded a bunt to get the runner at first base by a step. First baseman Cassie Rodriguez then fired across the infield to third baseman Charlotte Doyle who tagged the runner who had rounded third base for a double play. Bull then retired the next batter with one of her 12 strike outs on the day.

Milford’s offense didn’t waste any time getting going in the bottom of the first. Lead-off batter Lauren Worzel ripped the first pitch she saw up the middle for a lead-off single. Bull followed with a walk and both runners moved up on Avery Falco’s sacrifice bunt. Worzel would come around to score on a passed ball to give Milford a 1-0 lead. Kelsea Flanagan drove in Bull with a sacrifice fly to deep center giving Milford a 2-0 lead after one inning.

The second inning saw Bull strike out a pair and third baseman Charlotte Doyle thwart a North Branford bunt attempt with a nice put-out at first base.

Milford’s Rodriguez led off the second inning with a double to right and moved to third on Doyle’s bunt. Julia O’Connell followed with an RBI single, as did Bull and Avery Falco giving Milford a 5-0 lead.

In the third and fourth innings, Milford’s Bull would settle in striking out 5 of the next 6 batters pushing her game total to 12 strikeouts on the day without allowing a hit.

Kaitlyn Dzialo and Allyssa Joye also hit safely as Milford cruised to the 5-0 win.

Pool play will continue on Thursday for Milford as they host Amity at Brewster Field.