BRISTOL — The host Mount Abraham 11- and 12-year-old softball all-star team completed its overpowering run through the District I tournament on Sunday, when Mount Abe defeated Shelburne, 15-0, to sweep the tournament’s playoff round, two games to none. The Eagles had knocked off Shelburne, 33-3, on Saturday in the first game of the best-of-three series.
Mount Abe finished the tournament, which was played between June 22 and 30, having outscored its opposition — Shelburne, Richmond, Vergennes and Williston — by a combined 99-7 while compiling a 6-0 record. The closest game came on June 25, an 11-2 victory over Williston.
Mount Abe advances to face at least two other District winners in the state tournament, which will be played in the St. Johnsbury-Lyndonville area July 10-14.
Bristol tournament director and Mount Abe team parent Lisa Hoff said that as well as Mount Abe played in Bristol, the Eagles know they will see a tougher time of it at the next level.
“They completely dominated the (district) tournament, for sure,” Hoff said. “But they expect some stiffer competition up at the state tournament.”
At the District I tournament, Audrey Shahan earned three pitching wins and tossed a shutout vs. Richmond, Vanessa Dykstra allowed just two runs while winning two games on the mound, and Katelynn Ouellette tossed a shutout in Sunday’s clincher.
Hoff said players who did some of the most damage with the bat were Ouellette, Jenna McArdle and Brooke Perlee, who hit three homers in the first inning of Saturday’s game vs. Shelburne.
Perlee started behind the plate, while infielders included Olivia Young at first base, Emily Aldrich at second base, Ouellette at shortstop and McArdle at third base. Shahan also played some third base when not on the mound, while Aldrich backed up Perlee and Carter also saw time in the outfield.
Outfielders were Ally Hoff and Robyn Arena, and Dykstra played some outfield when not pitching. Erica Tracey played outfield and backed up first base, and Ruby Ball and Emma Carter played outfield and second base. Chessley Jackman and Sidney Perlee are team alternates.
Jeff Muratorri is the head coach, and he is assisted by Matt Shahan, Scott McArdle and Scott Perlee.
The Vergennes-Ferrisburgh team finished with a 1-3 record in round robin play and did not qualify for the weekend playoffs. Vergennes defeated Shelburne, 16-4, but lost to Williston, 19-7; Mount Abe, 15-1; and Richmond, 15-9.