Southampton 10U softball team repeats as District 2 champs, eyes state title defense (PHOTOS)

Southampton's Caroline Labrie fields a ground ball during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton.

Southampton's Caroline Labrie fields a ground ball during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Southampton's Stella Trombley celebrates after hitting an inside-the-park homerun during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton.

Southampton's Stella Trombley celebrates after hitting an inside-the-park homerun during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Southampton's Caroline Labrie hits the ball during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton.

Southampton's Caroline Labrie hits the ball during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Southampton's Stella Trombley, center, celebrates after hitting an inside-the-park homerun during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton.

Southampton's Stella Trombley, center, celebrates after hitting an inside-the-park homerun during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Southampton's Emmie Gay, right, is waved home during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton.

Southampton's Emmie Gay, right, is waved home during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Southampton's Stella Trombley claps after running to first base during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton.

Southampton's Stella Trombley claps after running to first base during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

The Southampton players run the championship banner around the edge of the field after winning the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham 6-3 at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton.

The Southampton players run the championship banner around the edge of the field after winning the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham 6-3 at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Southampton players cheer while in a team huddle after winning the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham 6-3 at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton.

Southampton players cheer while in a team huddle after winning the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham 6-3 at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Southampton's Hadleigh Hean (1) prepares for a pitch during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton.

Southampton's Hadleigh Hean (1) prepares for a pitch during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Southampton's Hadleigh Hean looks to hit the ball during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton.

Southampton's Hadleigh Hean looks to hit the ball during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Southampton's Molly Huard pitches the ball during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton.

Southampton's Molly Huard pitches the ball during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Southampton's Sophia Patel looks to hit the ball during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton.

Southampton's Sophia Patel looks to hit the ball during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Southampton's McKenna Lemoi steps into the batter's box during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton.

Southampton's McKenna Lemoi steps into the batter's box during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Southampton's Stella Trombley runs to first base after hitting the ball during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton.

Southampton's Stella Trombley runs to first base after hitting the ball during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Southampton's Keira Ferrar looks to throw the ball to first base during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton.

Southampton's Keira Ferrar looks to throw the ball to first base during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Southampton's Hadleigh Hean, right, fields a ground ball during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton.

Southampton's Hadleigh Hean, right, fields a ground ball during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Southampton's Sophia Patel, left, and Caroline Labrie celebrate after a play during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton.

Southampton's Sophia Patel, left, and Caroline Labrie celebrate after a play during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Southampton's Molly Huard pitches the ball during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton.

Southampton's Molly Huard pitches the ball during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Southampton's Caroline Labrie, left, receives a pass, attempting to tag Wilbraham's Reese Fountain during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against TKTKTK at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton.

Southampton's Caroline Labrie, left, receives a pass, attempting to tag Wilbraham's Reese Fountain during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against TKTKTK at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Southampton's Stella Trombley begins to celebrate while running toward home base after hitting an inside-the-park homerun during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton.

Southampton's Stella Trombley begins to celebrate while running toward home base after hitting an inside-the-park homerun during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Southampton's Caroline Labrie slides to home base during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton.

Southampton's Caroline Labrie slides to home base during the Massachusetts U10 Little League District 2 championship softball game against Wilbraham at Parker Field, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Southampton. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

By RYAN AMES

Staff Writer

Published: 07-02-2025 10:18 PM

SOUTHAMPTON — A three-run third inning set the wheels in motion for the Southampton 10U softball team’s second straight Little League District 2 title as the all-star squad got past Wilbraham, 6-3, at Norris Elementary School on Wednesday night.

Southampton trailed, 1-0, to the Falcons entering the top half of the third frame, but a pair of hard-hit balls up the middle put the hosts ahead, 3-1. Ayla Robidoux and Madison Fitzherbert each pumped hits into the outfield in quick succession, starting with a RBI double from Robidoux, before Fitzherbert laced a two-run single into center, giving Southampton its first lead of the game.

An inning later, Southampton catcher Stella Trombley sent a screamer… you guessed it, between the Wilbraham middle infielders for another base-knock, but the ball had so much steam that Trombley touched all four bases before the Falcons got the ball back to the pitcher’s circle, for a home run.

Trombley’s four-bagger pushed Southampton’s advantage to 4-2, then Taylor Leary scored its fifth run right after. Trombley’s home run ultimately served as the game-winning tally as the group advanced to the Massachusetts state tournament once again.

“The whole team played well, good pitching, good hitting and a lot of the girls, we’ve been working to get their bats going and it’s all starting to come together,” Southampton head coach Bill Labrie said.

Southampton secured five hits in the victory, the same amount as Wilbraham, but its two timely swings during the third was the difference. The Falcons were in a similar situation during the bottom of the fourth with two runners on, but Southampton pitcher Molly Huard got a critical strikeout to retire the side and end the scoring threat, which could have evened the score at 5-5.

Both pitchers were fantastic as Huard and Wilbraham’s Elise Camerota each fanned 13 batters throughout the contest. Huard is among the group of returners on this year’s Southampton team, which now has its sights set on defending its state title.

“I think we have five returning from that team and we have a lot of new ones who are stepping up and are doing well too,” Labrie said. “They’re definitely the leaders, they’re definitely showing the ropes [to the newer players.]”

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Trombley is another one of Southampton’s experienced players and showed why on Wednesday as the only multi-hit getter (single during the first, plus the homer) for the victors. Camerota matched Trombley with a couple of singles for the Falcons.

Sophia Patel joined Trombley, Robidoux and Fitzherbert in the hit department for Southampton, which will return to action on Sunday to kick off its state title defense.

“We’re on to states, so we’ll see how we do,” Labrie said.

A summer ago, Southampton claimed its first ever state championship after beating Worcester, 2-0, to advance to the Northeast Regional in Staten Island, N.Y.

Baseball

Belchertown Post 239 hangs on for sixth consecutive win

Wilbraham Post 286 scored five unanswered runs during the sixth and seventh innings, but Belchertown Post 239 built up a big enough of a lead early to hold on for the 9-7 win at Minnechaug Regional High School on Wednesday.

Belchertown plated four runs during the first, then added five more before the sixth inning rolled around in what wound up being enough of a cushion, to improve to 8-1 overall.

Chace Earle thumped two hits for Post 239 while Jake Waller’s lone base knock brought in two runs, helping himself in the process as Belchertown’s starting pitcher. Jacob Smith smacked Post 239’s only extra-base hit as the former Williston Northampton product belted a double.

Waller struck out seven Wilbraham batters in 5.2 innings, but allowed nine hits and five runs (four earned). Evan Ferguson and Ryan Gould combined to snatch the final four outs of the meeting from the mound once Waller’s night was done.

Wilbraham outhit Belchertown, 10-9, in seven innings, however Post 239 committed five errors.

Belchertown has a week off before its next game against East Springfield Post 420 on July 9. First pitch at Belchertown High School is set for 5:45 p.m.