BRISTOL — This has been an unusual summer in so many way, but one sporting classic did find a venue this summer. Mount Abe Little League baseball held its annual championship series this past Friday and Saturday at the Bristol Recreation Field.
Monkton Mountain Lions and the Starksboro Pirates faced off in exciting games on Friday and Saturday. New this year, the league presented a trophy in honor of the late Alan Curler, who died this past January after giving decades of service to the community by helping out youth, particularly in Little League.
In a tight opening game, the Pirates and the Mountain Lions battled to a final score of 6-3, with Starksboro prevailing. 
The Pirates then won the first Curler Cup and the Five Town Little League Championship title by defeating Monkton on Saturday, 17-5.
Members of the winning Starksboro Pirates were Brody Barnard, Ethan Bromley, Lucas Estey, Charlie Hill, Jake Hill, Jackson Jennings, Stefan Johnson, Irie Mazur, Calvin Peck and Jaequin Tomasi. They were coached by Bryan Peck,  Eric Jennings and Jason Mazur.
The Monkton Mountain Lions players were Alex Anderson, Cam Castillo, Clark Crary, Flint Crary, William Gustin, Timmy Hunt, Thatcher Legget, Johnny Stanley, Ryan Wright and Orion Yates. Their coach was Tim Hunt, and Adam Crary was the manager.
Mount Abe Little League officials noted their appreciation to Shawn Oxford for announcing the games and the pre-game ceremony in honor of Alan Curler. Oxford’s voice came from the new announcer’s booth that he made possible through procuring donations. Terry Gooley provided the sound system. Umpires Denny Barnard in the field and Tom Estey at home place also deserve recognition.