For the first time in two decades, the 10-to-12-year-old all-stars from Burlington American will represent District I at the Vermont Little League baseball state tournament.
Burlington American defeated Champlain Valley 6-4 in Saturday morning's District I championship game at Schifilliti Field, advancing to the four-team state tournament for the first time since 2004.
The state tournament is slated to begin July 20 at a site to be determined in District IV.
Emery Nichols earned the win on the mound and also had two hits at the plate to aid Burlington American's 11-hit attack. On the bump, Nichols pitched four innings and recorded five strikeouts, while relief pitcher Finch Heilenbach tossed a pair of scoreless frames to pick up the save.
Burlington American sealed the championship with a game-ending double play in the bottom of the sixth inning.
In addition to Nichols' offensive efforts, Jim Agnew also collected two hits, and Johnny Loescher drove in two runs.
Burlington American went 8-1 in districts, including going 3-0 during the double-elimination portion of the tournament. Champlain Valley's task Saturday was to win to force a decisive game on Sunday but fell just short.
Burlington American's full player roster: Emery Nichols, Calvin MacHarg, Devon Bolton, Felix Rubinchuk, Finch Heilenbach, Illo Heilenbach, Jimmy Agnew, Johnny Loescher, Matthew Weinberger, Owen O'Sullivan, Parker Hagan and Wesley Price. The team is coached by Justin Heilenbach, Tim Loescher, Mike O'Sullivan, Rich Price and Chad Nichols.
Essex Town rallies to beat Essex Junction in D-III final
Essex Town used a four-run rally in the top of the sixth inning to pull away from Essex Junction for a 5-1 victory, seizing the District III title on Saturday afternoon at Foster Road Park.
Ethan Weeks hit a bases-clearing double with one out in the sixth to break a 1-all deadlock while David Bent twirled a complete-game five-hitter to send Essex Town to the state tournament for the first time since 2021.
Bent yielded five hits and one run while fanning six. Bent also went 1-for-2 at the plate with a double.
Essex Junction seized a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, with Nick Norris doubling with one out and later scoring on a Tanner Thibault's fielder's choice.
Essex Town leveled the game at 1 on Dylan Markey's groundout in the fourth. In the decisive sixth, Essex Town opened with a walk, single, groundout and intentional walk to load the bases, setting up Weeks' game-winning hit. Two batters later, Weeks stole home for the insurance run.
For Essex Junction, Norris and Calvin Farnham each had two hits. Starter Cade Barcomb had a no-decision, lasting 4 2/3 innings and conceding four hits and one run while striking out four.
Essex Town has previously won the 8-10-year-old state championship in each of the past two summers.
Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @aabrami5.
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