-This season was a season of firsts for the Brattleboro Little League 10-U All-Stars.
After capturing the District 2 title, Brattleboro swept through the state tournament to win Brattleboro first-ever 10-U championship and earn a spot in the Little League Baseball East Region 10-U Invitational in Cranston, Rhode Island. The team got as far as the semifinals in the tournament before being eliminated.
Brattleboro opened the round robin stage of the tournament on Aug. 8 with a 5-2 loss to Trumbull, Connecticut, a perennial powerhouse in New England youth baseball. Trumbull scored twice in the bottom of the first inning, but Brattleboro tied the game in the top of second. The game stayed tied before Trumbull struck for two runs in the fourth and another run in the fifth.
On Aug. 11, Brattleboro defeated Cumberland North Yarmouth Little League (CNYLL), the Maine champions, 4-3. Brattleboro got three runs in the second, and another in the third. CNYLL rallied for three runs in the fifth, but Brattleboro managed to hang on.
Brattleboro finished the opening round with an 8-6 loss on Aug. 12 to Holden, Massachusetts. Holden led 4-0 before Brattleboro tied the game with four runs in bottom of the fourth. Holden then came back with four runs in the top of the fifth for an 8-4 lead. Brattleboro scored twice in the bottom of sixth as their rally fell short.
The two teams met again Aug. 13 in the elimination round and this time, Brattleboro defeated Holden, 4-1. Brattleboro got two runs in the top of the first and held Holden to a single run in the second. Brattleboro later added a run in the fifth and sixth innings to advance.
Brattleboro faced Trumbull again in the semifinals, and again, Trumbull came out on top with a 4-2 victory. Trumbull got all of its runs in the third inning. Brattleboro broke up the shutout bid in the sixth inning with a pair of runs.
On the 10-U All-Star roster were Ryan Alexander, Jackson Corby, Cameron Frechette, Shane Gallagher, Brayden Gouger, Lewis Hatch, Nick Libardoni, Griffen Rich, Mason Rosa, Lincoln Sanchez, Jace Snow, and Adam Willson. Eric Gallagher was the manager and Eric Libardoni and Lew Hatch were the assistant coaches.
After holding their own against the top Little League programs in New England, and finishing third in a tough regional tournament,Gallagher, Hatch and Libardoni summed up the experience in an email to the The Commons: “These young men got to experience a summer of baseball many only get to dream about and they did it with unwavering courage and pride. Words cannot express how proud we are as coaches.”
BHS/BUHS Athletic Hall of Fame names inductees
• The Brattleboro High School/Brattleboro Union High School Athletic Hall of Fame recently announced its Class of 2026 inductees.
Spanning 55 years (1936-1990) the seven new inductees competed on the gridiron and courts, on homemade ice rinks, baseball diamonds and the track. One nominee moved on to be a respected coach, and along with another inductee a similarly revered official.
This fall, the Hall will honor one incredible team and six amazing multi-sport athletes: Stan Juscen ’36 (football, basketball, baseball), the 1938-39 Ice Hockey Team, Martin J. “Butch” Lapan ’56 (football, basketball, track and baseball, football/track coach, and basketball official), Joe Garafalo ’59 (football, basketball, baseball), Bryant Jones ’59 (Track - two-time state Pole Vault Champion, football), Kernan “Kernie” Claflin ’60 (football, basketball, baseball), and Matt Henry ’90 (football, basketball, baseball).
The BHS/BUHS Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet will be held Saturday, Nov. 14, at American Legion Post 5. Happy hour is from 5 to 6 p.m., and the banquet starts at 6 p.m. Tickets for the banquet are $35 per person (each inductee gets two complimentary tickets). Send ticket requests to buhshof22@gmail.com.
The Legion has tables of 6 and 8 and inductees can reserve a table(s) in any combination of these. Let them know all the names of attendees associated with the reservation and the name of the inductee the reservation is supporting, the number of tables wanted, and an email address to confirm the information. Your reservation will be confirmed once payment is received.
Move Forward Together 5K for Suicide Awareness is Sept. 12
• Brattleboro Retreat’s Move Forward Together 5K for Suicide Awareness will take place Saturday, Sept. 12, at 9 a.m. This is a timed walk/run that begins and ends at the Brattleboro Retreat and features a scenic out-and-back course along Route 30.
Organizers say the event’s goal is “honoring those we’ve lost, bringing hope to those who are struggling, and connecting our community with vital resources during Suicide Awareness Month. Whether you run, walk, or cheer from the sidelines, you’ll help create a space where everyone belongs and every step forward matters.”
The cost to register is $35. Proceeds from the event will support enhancements to patient care and experience at the Brattleboro Retreat, including program development, staff training, patient financial assistance, and campus improvements. Sign up at runsignup.com/Race/VT/Brattleboro/BrattleboroRetreat5KForSuicideAwareness.
Kids and strollers are welcome, and children under 12 participate free of charge. For the safety and comfort of all participants, pets are not permitted, except for service animals.
Senior bowling roundup
• Week 15 of the spring/summer season of the Brattleboro Senior Bowling League Aug. 13 at Brattleboro Bowl saw Pin Heads (49-26) have a 4-1 week to remain in first place, while Queen ‘n’ Jokers (46-29) went 4-1 to take sole possession of second place, followed by The House (43-32), Skippers (40-35), Ducks (38-37), Near Miss (35-40), Number 1 and Slo Movers (both 32-43), Team Two (31-44), and Strike Force (29-46).
Candida Wall had the women’s high handicap game (236) and Diane Miller had the handicap series (629). Norm Oakes had the men’s high handicap game (261) and series (708). Pinheads had the high handicap game (876) and series (2,563).
Kevin Napaver once again had the men’s high scratch series (610) with games of 264 and 191, while Warren Corriveau Sr. had a 559 series with games of 209 and 196, and Robert Rigby had a 557 series with games of 196, 181, and 180. Rick Westcott had a 551 series with games of 191 and 183, Rich Pietro had a 543 series with games of 192 and 184, and John Walker had a 542 series with a 189 game. Notable games included Mike Pavlovich (193), Oakes (182), Skip Shine (181), and Gary Montgomery (180).
Carol Gloski had the women’s high scratch series (473) and game (171). Gloski also rolled a 167. Notable games included Diane Cooke (171) and Nancy Dalzell (160).
Randolph T. Holhut, deputy editor of this newspaper, has written this column since 2010 and has covered sports in Windham County since the 1980s. Readers can send him sports information at news@commonsnews.org.
This Sports column by Randolph T. Holhut was written for The Commons.