Burkett Crushes Peabody in Junior League Softball

Junior League Softball Blast

Jesse Burkett rolled to a 19‑1 victory over Peabody, powered by a balanced offensive outburst. Darcy Molinari went 4 for 4, snagging two doubles, three RBIs and three runs. Amalya Febles, Madysen Smith, Soph Delvalle and Demetria Golsch each recorded three hits, with Febles adding a triple and Golsch contributing three RBIs. The attacking flurry continued with six runs in the second inning and nine more in the fifth, culminating in 23 hits over five innings.

Jocelyn Kinney silenced the opposition with nine strikeouts, allowing just one unearned run on two hits across five frames. The pitching staff kept Peabody at bay while the bats broke the game open early and often. By the time the final out arrived, Burkett improved to a 5‑0 mark in the tournament.

Offensive depth also shone through for Burkett. Sammy Butland delivered a triple, stole two bases and drove in two runs, while Sam Mitchell added two steals and two RBIs. The team’s collective hitting strategy set the tone for the win and kept the round‑robin schedule on track.

American Legion Baseball Highlights

Leominster dominated Grafton 10‑0, erasing any offensive chances with a one‑hit shutout. Mark Garner paced the attack with a solo homer and two hits, while Brendan Mariani contributed two doubles and an RBI. A.J. Wozniak and Liam Bridgham also launched home runs, showcasing a deep batting order.

The mound trio of Danny Frade (three innings, one strikeout), Austin Gibbons (two innings, one hit allowed) and Will Urda (one inning) worked in perfect harmony to blank the visitors. Grafton managed only a single base hit from Zach Otis as the game concluded.

In a dramatic finish, Northborough edged Vernon Hill 16‑15 in a walk‑off rally. Nate Citro’s four‑pitch walk capped a three‑run seventh, driving home the winning run. Austin Rea sparked the rally with an infield single, followed by Matthew Flatkow’s center‑field hit and a crucial error that allowed Grady Bishop to score.

Calvin Chan drew a walk with two RBIs, and Hunter Sether Kang was plunked in the torso for five RBIs, tying the contest. Liam Murphy’s two doubles contributed to Northborough’s 14 hits, while Vernon Hill’s Ahmed Ortiz compiled a 3‑for‑5 performance with two doubles, a home run and five RBIs.

Futures Collegiate League Update

Westfield edged the Bravehearts 6‑3 in a tense back‑and‑forth affair. Hunter St. Denis recorded a double and a run, and Will Kraemer added a pair of RBIs via a double and a single. The breakthrough came in the top of the ninth when Westfield tacked on two runs, sealing the victory and extending Worcester’s losing streak to six.

The Bravehearts, holding a 19‑21 record, fell to the Starfires who sit at 14‑23. The game highlighted the competitiveness of the Futures league, where a single inning can swing momentum dramatically.

Upcoming Local Games

Today’s American Legion action features Cherry Valley visiting Grafton at 5:30 p.m. at Shaw Elementary in Millbury. The Futures Collegiate League follows with Westfield heading to the Bravehearts at 6:30 p.m. at Fitton Field.

All schedules remain subject to change due to weather, field conditions or postponements. Fans are advised to verify times before heading out.