Gals 10-U reaches regional final

As the CLCF-CWLL 12-U all-stars were competing in the Little League World Series, the 10-U team was also making noise in its regional tournament as it went 3-2 and reached the finals against Connecticut.

The Gals rolled past Massachusetts 18-4 in the opener and were led by Mackenzie Taveira with four RBI while Mila Castillo added three more. Aubrey Riker got the win in the circle, pitching a complete game with five strikeouts.

Connecticut won the following day 8-2, but CLCF-CWLL bounced back to top Vermont 5-1. Chloe Whittenberger led the way for the Gals, knocking in a pair of runs. The Gals then beat Maine 11-1, as Riker tossed four innings with seven strikeouts and allowing just one hit. Nina Graziano drove in three runs.

The win set up a rematch in the title game against Connecticut, and the Gals fell 5-0.

“We are extremely proud that they were able to make it to the regional final. We knew going there with one pitcher in Aubrey Riker that it was going to be tough to make it through,” said manager Bobby Arrighie, who credited his relief pitching as well. “(Riker) pitched dominant, she was as good as advertised, and when she got into a little bit of trouble, I can’t say enough about Alyssa Chattelle. She didn’t pitch much at all throughout the season, and she was able to keep the hits under control and let the defense do its job and keep us in games.”

Dedication to the sport year-round allowed the team to have a big year, but at the rec level and all-star season.

“This group really challenges themselves in the offseason. They join as many clinics as they can, they play other sports but really focus on softball. What makes them competitive is that they spend a lot of time together off the field, it’s the same group of friends both on and off the field and they work hard on their craft. They’re just solid all-around, we’re a deep team because they’ve all bought in and are on the same page. The sky’s the limit,” said Arrighie.

The 10-U team is also motivated to advance further next season and follow in the footsteps of the 12’s, who were the first Rhode Island team to reach the World Series in nine years.

“A lot of this is life skills. Learning how to achieve their goals, teamwork, determination, relying on one another. I always preach to the defense to have the pitcher’s back. Don’t make them throw more pitches than they have to, and they really bought into that. I know they were watching the 12-U team and they want to be there next year,” Arrighie said. “They want to be there and take that spot and they’re up to the challenge. That’s all they’ve been talking about.”

Members of the 10’s include: Emma Arrighie, Mila Castillo, Hayden Cerio, Alyssa Chattelle, Genevieve Earls, Yariana Girón, Nina Graziano, Milania Morse, Aydeliz Reyes, Aubrey Riker, Mackenzie Taveira, Chloe Whittenberger