WORCESTER — Twenty-four years ago, a group of 11- and 12-year-old boys from Worcester put Jesse Burkett Little League on the map when they made their run in the Little League World Series in Williamsport.
Now, a group of 11- and 12-year old girls are looking to do the same in softball as the Jesse Burkett 12U softball team departed for Bristol, Connecticut to play in the New England Regional Tournament, representing Massachusetts.
“Next year is the 25th anniversary of that Little League World Series team and softball has kind of taken the reigns over the past couple of years,” Jesse Burkett Little League President Chad Dawkins said. “Credit to the players and the coaches, they just do a great job.”
Burkett defeated Peabody, 11-4, in the state championship game on July 12 to advance to the New England Regionals.
“It means everything,” 12U coach Charlie Johnston said. “Being a hometown kid and these kids growing up around here, this is huge.”
In addition, both the 10U and Juniors teams both won state championships as well. It was the sixth straight Junior League state title for Jesse Burkett softball.
“I think this is probably the first time ever that the little league has swept 10U, 12U and 14U Juniors, so we are super proud,” Dawkins said.
Lilah D’Andrea – whose older sister, Sophia was on the juniors team that won a state title this summer – is excited to be competing in the New England Regional tournament with an opportunity to advance to the Little League Softball World Series in Greenville, North Carolina.
“It’s going to be a very good experience and we have a really good team,” D’Andrea said. “It means a lot and I think we can win (the regional) because we have such a great bond as a team.”
She also credits her older sister with helping her become a better softball player outside of team practices.
“She has been telling me how to do things right and her friends help too, teaching me stuff that I didn’t know (like helping improve her swing),” D’Andrea said.
The D’Andrea sisters weren’t the only siblings to have won state championships for Jesse Burkett Little League softball as Leah Becker (juniors) and Rose Becker (10U) both won state titles.
“Just a credit to a lot of the volunteers in our league,” Dawkins said. “Just keeping them involved in the program, keeping them happy and developing them. You see it at a lot of little leagues with big families, but you start them young and then next thing you know, their sister or brother is playing and it’s pretty awesome to see.”
Johnston is glad to see that rec ball still matters to kids in the age of pay to play and travel ball teams.
“A lot of people don’t think that rec ball is a thing (anymore),” Johnston said. “All of our girls do play travel ball, but they still stay here and keep it old school and play recreational ball which we like to say, is where you create your softball self. You meet everyone, your friends, build your confidence, get better and then take it to the next level which we call travel ball.”
Jesse Burkett plays Gorham Little League (Maine) on Saturday at 4 p.m. for the first game of the double-elimination tournament. All games can be streamed on ESPN+.
“We conquered the districts, (then state) and now we are off to regionals representing Massachusetts and going to bring it home for Mass,” Johnston said.
—Contact Ethan Winter at sports@telegram.com.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Jesse Burkett 12U softball team ready for New England Regional
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