Lightning struck twice on Sunday as both the U10 and U12 all-star softball teams from Jesse Burkett Little League each won state titles with a pair of identical seven-run wins at Vernon Hill Park.
The 10U squad defeated Canton in the first game of the day 11-4 before the U12 team downed Peabody by the same score to give Burkett a double dip of championships.
Emily Morrissey went a perfect three-for-three at the plate with three singles while pitcher Brianna Grant held Canton to four runs on seven hits while striking out six over six innings in the U10 game. Grant also contributed three RBI on the offensive side to complement run-scoring doubles from Izzy Biando and Ashlyn Ingles. Burkett stole 11 bases and played error-free defense in the field.
The 10U team improved to a perfect 13-0 record this summer with seven wins in the District 4 tournament and six in the state tournament. Through the course of its 13 games, the team has outscored its opponents by 130 runs, 159-29. Burkett will now participate in the 10U East Regional Invitational Tournament on July 24-July 29 in Staten Island, NY. The event features state championship teams from 12 states in New
England and the Middle Atlantic.
Head coach Mel Melkonian acknowledged the tremendous support that the blue and orange have received from parents as well as local residents. Every player on the team will travel to the regional tournament in two weeks. Two families even canceled previously scheduled vacations
in order to ensure full participation.
“We have buy-in from everybody in terms of the community, the players and the families,” said Melkonian, a mother of four daughters who has been coaching with Burkett for four years.
“Everybody planned their summer around this all-star season. The parents are just as into it as the players are.”
Members of the 10U team are: Abriana Gonzalez, Ashlyn Ingles, Avery Beaudreau, Brianna Grant, Clara Lahey, Emily Morrissey, Madelyn Morrissey, Flora Pacheco, Izzy Biando, Kayley Brazile, Madelyn Kozlowski and Rose Becker. Assistant coaches are Kurt Biando and Mike
Morrissey.
In the U12 state championship game, Stella Vernon and Morgan Kilcoyne combined for six of Burkett’s 15 hits to lead the offense. Camila Johnston, Hanna White and Aryella Lopez also chipped in with multiple-hit performances. Ava Maloney earned the win on the mound pitching
into the sixth inning and allowing just two runs with six strikeouts.
Burkett (11-1) advances to the New England Regional Tournament which will be held July 18-23 in Bristol, CT. The U12 team last played in the regionals in 2024 and split four games with a 2-2 record.
The tournament opens on Saturday, July 18 with Massachusetts champion Burkett taking on Maine champion Gorham at 4 p.m. The game will be televised live on ESPN+.
“This is beyond a dream come true for these kids,” said Johnston, who’s in his first season coaching at Burkett. “These girls are ecstatic. They heard they’re staying in a dorm at a complex–to them, it’s surreal.”
Members of the 12U team are: Armande Sloan, Aryella Lopez, Ava Maloney, Camila Johnston, Hanna White, Harper Ward, Leah MacLean, Lila D’Andrea, Luciana Johnston, Morgan Kilcoyne, Stella Vernon and Victoria Piskator. Assistant coaches are Alida Roman and Mike MacLean.
“They’re not scared to take on the challenge,” added Johnston. “They’re actually pumped to take on the challenge and go represent Massachusetts
