'Now it's on to regionals': Burkett 12U softball pursues New England title in Bristol

WORCESTER — One of the more eye-catching aspects of Jesse Burkett's surging 12U all-star softball team is the fact that all the players in the lineup have the ability to club the hit that could be the game-winner.

It could be the sluggers like Bella McLaughlin or Sophia Delvalle. Or perhaps a contact hitter like Mikaela Gjata, Izzy Abdella, Jocelyn Baumann, Sophia D'Andrea and McKenna Kadis.

Best of all, no matter who is at bat, Burkett tends to jack up its offense when the going gets dramatic.

All this came into play several days ago during Burkett's thrilling 2-0 victory over the Canton Dirt Dawgs Black U12 team in the state championship game. With the game scoreless in the third inning, Burkett's Mady Smith and Morgan Kadis, the last two hitters in the lineup, swatted singles, both with two out. Leadoff batter Macie Ingles followed with a base hit, knocking in both Smith and Morgan Kadis.

This proved more than enough for Burkett starting pitcher Mia Porcelli, who threw blanks the rest of the way.

Burkett will compete in the New England Regional, which starts Sunday and runs through Saturday, in Bristol, Connecticut.

Burkett's first game is against Cranston Western, the Rhode Island state champion, at 8 p.m. Sunday, and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+. The other teams in the tournament are state champs from Vermont (St. Albans), Maine (Bonny Eagle in Buxton) and Connecticut (Milford).

Winning local tournaments and competing out of state is customary for Burkett. Burkett has qualified for the regional tournament the last three years, although there was no tournament in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eleven players from the 2021 team are still playing for Burkett.

Burkett's effort in the state championship game bears repeating. Smith drilled her single to right field, while Morgan Kadis reached on an infield hit. Ingles' blast went to right field and was hit hard enough to enable Smith and Kadis to scurry home. The hits were the first of the game for all three players. Burkett finished with six hits, the other three coming on singles by Porcelli, Ava Sala and McKenna Kadis.

Porcelli was dominant throughout with a complete-game, two-hit performance. She struck out 10 and walked just one. Porcelli threw a shutout in Burkett's state sectional victory over Westfield two weeks ago. Burkett won that contest, 17-0.

Though Burkett can pile up the runs, it has also shown the ability to win the close ones. The players admit that pressure exists in the nailbiters, but having a strong support system, and a fine coaching staff helps calm any nervousness. Accordingly, when the pressure was on in the title tilt, Burkett stayed cool.

"Actually, the inning in which we scored was real exciting for me — I wanted to get a hit and get on base," Morgan Kadis said. "It was 0-0, and I was nervous. I just went up to the plate and swung hard. Once I hit the ball, I ran as fast as I could. And I ran as fast as I could on Macie's hit, too."

"Winning that game was great, but now it's on to regionals, and I can't wait," Morgan Kadis added. "I look forward to going to Bristol and living in dorms with my teammates. Hanging out with my teammates and maybe winning a few games. It should be a lot of fun."

Smith stayed focused in the championship game, despite a touch of tension.

"I was nervous, but I was also thrilled to be playing in a game like this," Smith said. "When I got to the plate, all I wanted was to get a hit and help my team. It was all so exciting. When Macie got her hit, I was on second base. I ran really hard because I didn't know where the ball was. I was just hoping it went far.

"I'm very happy about going to Bristoll," Smith added. "It will be a new experience for me because I've never gone to Bristol and the regionals."

One never knows what twists or turns a softball game may take. But if you play hard and give it your best, good things will happen. Ingles can vouch for that.

"When I got that hit in the championship game, I wasn't really sure where it went," Ingles said. "I just looked at the coach — he told me to go. Then I heard cheering, and I thought that was good. I didn't know at that time that it would be the game-winning hit. But I felt really, really happy. Now we go to Bristol — it's so exciting."

Third baseman Ava Sala has enjoyed the postseason ride, from the sectional and state championship games to the regionals.

"Definitely a cool experience for all of us, and we're getting better each day," Sala said. "Each day, we're learning more and more about softball. And I'm playing and learning alongside great players. This team has great chemistry, and we all get along. The games can get tense at times, but you just have to relax and have fun with it."

Catcher Julia Grant sees a Burkett team that is focused and ready to go, the end result of long hours working diligently.

"We've gotten this far because of the hard work, which has enabled us to improve," Grant said. "These girls know each other, too. We've been together on other teams that have had success. We're having fun. And catching for Mia is the best. She's such a great pitcher. Nobody can hit her — she strikes out everybody."

The Burkett manager is Gino Porcelli. The coaches are Rob Ingles and Heather Grant.

—Contact Craig Holt at sports@telegram.com.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Bats for Burkett 12U softball are ready for New England Regional