Connecticut champs! Guilford girls dynamic on the diamond in LL Major Division softball
- Rick Menning
- Jul 15
- 8 min read
Updated: Jul 15
By Rick Menning
WATERFORD, CT -- From the moment they arrived at Rotary Field for the biggest game of their young lives, the Guilford Little League Major Division Softball All-Stars took on an aura of a squad with abundant confidence.
Needing three straight wins over three straight days against the best of the best opponents in Connecticut, the ballplayers from a Long Island Sound shoreline town with a rich tradition in softball reached the top of the mountain.
The incredible quest meant overcoming the odds, putting their skills and talents to a very big test and turning all those practice sessions into a production on the diamond worthy of a state championship.
The mission? Defeat South Windsor and follow that up with a tough task of knocking off winners' bracket finalist Fairfield twice to become Connecticut title holders.
Check, double check and checkmate with an exclamation point!
A shutout against South Windsor, a sensational extra-inning triumph over an equally gallant Fairfield team in game one and then a come-from-behind effort in the decisive finale contest earned Guilford a trip to Bristol for the New England Region starting on Sunday.
Eyes on the prize
Returning to the sprawling Waterford Little League South complex for that final test this past Sunday, the Guilford girls went through their pre-game routines with purpose and conviction but without any sign of nerves or pressure.
In fact, quite the opposite as those in the green and white uniforms approached first pitch with plenty of smiles and a lighthearted spirit as they went through their stretching, throwing and batting drills.
This was a conquest they knew was achievable -- despite the uphill climb -- and they weren't going to let any jitters get in the way of playing up to their capabilities on the field.
"They are a fierce group of kids with a lot of heart, and they left it all out there the last three days," Guilford manager Andrea Klein said. "We knew any one of those games we could be sent home and to have them show that grit and resilience to push us through against phenomenal teams is really hard to do. I am extremely proud of them."
Even after a shaky start that saw them trailing 3-0 at the start of the state championship game, Klein's team of shining stars were on a mission to assume the Connecticut throne previously held for the past six years by the Milford Little League Softball organization.
As a huge crowd of family and friends gathered at Rotary Field -- some getting there more than an hour early to secure their "good luck" seating spots, the Guilford girls subsequently put on quite a show with tenacious batting, fortress-like fielding and solid pitching.
Those ingredients blended together to create the recipe for an amazing Connecticut title and a date with Concord, New Hampshire on July 20 at 4 p.m. The game can be seen live on ESPN+.
"Every quality in these girls shone through today and over these past few days," Klein continued. "They were so motivated. They were not going to give up and that makes them a real special group."
Guilford's All-Star sensations will not only be displaying their talents to those same families and friends likely to fill the bleachers at the A Bartlett Giamatti Little League Leadership Training Center but also to a national television audience.
Along with Connecticut and New Hampshire champions, the New England Region field of states includes Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine and Vermont.
Rapid response
Rather than hang their heads and be discouraged after falling behind by three runs in the top of the first inning, Guilford roared back like a grizzly bear on the hunt for its prey.
In fact, the state champions' first three batters struck for back-to-back-to back hits like shots out of a cannon.
Olivia Mahon and Maeve Eagleson (RBI) roped sharp singles to center field, and Leah Michalowski laced a run-scoring double that hit of the bottom of the fence in left field to pull Guilford to within 3-2.
"I just believed in myself the whole time, and in that (at-bat) I was looking for a good pitch to hit and make sure it was (in the zone)," said Leah, who can't wait to play in front of the big crowds in Bristol. "I'm very happy and excited. There are so many emotions. We always have a lot of energy, and we are definitely going to represent Connecticut with that energy."
Reagan Klein also contributed to the outburst of four hits in that first inning with a single to right field.
Guilford might have done even more damage had it not been for a defensive gem as Fairfield right-fielder Sophia Tiriolo made a pinpoint throw to catcher Sloane Sokol for a tagout at the plate.
The Guilford bat attack continued in the second inning with Shannon Winters ripping a one-out line-drive double into the gap.
Shannon's clutch hit was followed by Maeve McGowan's single that advanced Winters to third base, where she then raced home on a wild pitch to make it 3-3.
To be competing on such a grand stage against other state championship teams from throughout New England is a dream come true.
"It's amazing and I'm still processing it all," said Shannon, who enjoys the camaraderie and team spirit that makes the Guilford squad so special. "We were cheering constantly and (encouraging) one another the entire game."
As with all her teammates, she was so pumped up by the tremendous cheering from family and friends of both teams that resonated throughout the ballpark in Waterford.
"Whenever we got a hit, it was so loud and exciting, and all the cheering really picked us up," Shannon said. "When we got that last out, I was so happy I was shaking. The defense did absolutely amazing today and came through when we needed it most."
Staying positive
For Guilford pitcher Maeve Eagleson, Fairfield's three-run first inning wasn't upsetting at all and in fact motivated her to turn the tide.
And she did just that with a gutsy and gritty performance that was highlighted by her retiring seven straight Fairfield batters to end the game.
Maeve not only overcame the early deficit, but she did so with eight of her nine strikeouts coming after Fairfield had taken the three-run lead. She also gave up only one walk of her three total after that first inning.
"I just refocused and thought to myself 'I need to take control of this game and take my time'", said Maeve, who in two of the other state tournament games combined for 25 strikeouts. "I just have to trust the process and trust myself and my defense. I just can't let the other team get in my head."
Her fighting spirit in every start inside the circle doesn't come as any surprise to her manager.
"Maeve is a tough kid. She's such a warrior; she battles through," Klein said. "Sometimes she wears her emotions on her sleeve, but it's hard to have her be who she is without some of that. She fights so hard and she wants to win and she wants to make her teammates proud."
Pivotal eruption
The bottom of the third inning proved decisive as Guilford rode a big two-out rally into a three-run advantage.
Kali Reinhold singled to left field and later scored, while Leah and Reagan also crossed home plate during that key inning.
Leah and Kali concluded their offensive output by smacking back-to-back base hits in the fifth inning to each finish with a pair of hits along with Shannon, who singled to center field to lead off the fourth inning.
From that point on, the Guilford girls started to flash the leather with five groundouts and two flyouts, including a great grab of a line drive by center fielder Adelina Pradith.
Fielding gems, especially in the last two innings, proved key to Guilford becoming Connecticut champions.
"My defense has really been so supportive throughout our All-Star play, and they always have my back," Maeve Eagleson said. "Even though we know not everything goes right, we just never give up. The infielders made the plays, and our outfielders really hustled and went after it. Everyone was giving it their all."
Guilford catcher Kali Reinhold, who anchors that 'D' from behind the plate and had a pair of solid singles, was a part of plenty of positive conversation inside the dugout throughout the contest.
"After we were down in that first inning, we just had a bunch of pep talks and everyone stayed hyped," Kali said. "We wanted to make sure everyone stayed happy with what they did either batting or fielding."
Fairfield's fielding was also worthy of commendation as the Section 1 champions turned a double play to end a Guilford threat in the bottom of the fifth inning, and threw out two runners at second base trying to move into scoring position in the fourth inning.
For most of these Guilford players, this marks the second time they have captured a state title. As under-10s, the team went to Pennsylvania where they played .500 ball going 2-2.
Regional beginnings
In their opening game on Sunday, the Guilford girls take on Concord National Youth Softball Little League from Concord, New Hampshire. First pitch is at 4 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN+.
A win in that contest would earn the Connecticut champions advancement to a second-round showdown on Monday against Canton Little League from Canton, Massachusetts. That game is also set to start at 4 p.m. and be nationally televised by ESPN+
The entire New England schedule can be seen here: 2025 LLS New England Region Tournament - Little League
Little League Major Division
Softball Connecticut champions!
2025 Guilford Major Division All-Stars (in alphabetical order): Maya Barbarito, Blake Bizzario, Maeve Eagleson, Reagan Klein, Olivia Mahon, Michaela Mascari, Maeve McGowan, Leah Michalowski, Adelina Pradith, Kali Reinhold, Shannon Winters, Abby Volpe. The manager is Andrea Klein and the coaches are Mike Michalowski and Kyle Eagleson.
Little League Major Division
Softball Connecticut runners-up!
2025 Fairfield Major Division All-Stars (in alphabetical order): Molly Flynn, Izzy Hegedus, Avery Hillmann, Maddy Kelley, Morgan Kiernan, Brianna Lavanda, Michela Messina, Vanessa Ritchie, Stella Rosado, Sierra Stephens, Sloane Sokol, Sophia Tiriolo. The manager is Ellen Kiernan and the coaches are Frank Tiriolo and Craig Stephens.
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