On Friday, July 27, 2012, the Brookline Little League Association and many of it's dedicated fans descended upon PNC Park for the annual Pittsburgh Citiparks B.I.G. League finals. The Brookline 12-Under and 15-Under Girls Slo-Pitch Softball teams were playing in their respective championship games, and both were facing strong contenders from Elliott. When the day was over, the girls from Brookline came away with two decisive victories, and each of our Brookline teams claimed a lasting spot on the coveted Mayor's Cup Championship trophy.

The 12-Under team, managed by Tom Smith, won their game 14-3. The 15-Under team, led by Jim Kottler, hammered their way to a 13-1 win. For both the Brookline and Elliott players, it was quite a thrill to play at PNC Park, the home of the Major League Pittsburgh Pirates.

The games were held in the left field area, with the bleachers close to the action and the giant PNC Park scoreboard looming overhead. The weather was bright and sunny, and the view of the city skyline was wonderful. It was a great day for the community of Brookline, and an experience the girls and their fans won't soon forget.

It's been seventeen years since Brookline last celebrated a Mayor's Cup championship. In 1995, the Bob Hayes Photography team, managed by Bob Healy, won the Boys Little League title at Three Rivers Stadium. Pittsburgh B.I.G. League Mayor's Cup competition, sponsored by Citiparks and the Pittsburgh Pirates, began in 1994. The actual Mayor's Cup trophy resides in the City-County Building, engraved with the names of the winning teams for the past nineteen years.

    12-Under Game         15-Under Game    

    12-Under Championship Game Highlights    

Brookline's undefeated 12-Under Slo-Pitch team won the 2012 Mayor's Cup Championship at PNC Park with a convincing 14-3 victory over Elliott. It was their 15th win against no losses. Pitcher Tori Hudson tossed a six-hitter and, supported by some nice fielding from her teammates, held the Elliott batters to only one run through the first five innings.

Elliott got off to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. With two outs in the bottom half of the inning, Brookline bats erupted with four consecutive hits that brought home four runs. The score remained 4-1 until the bottom half of the fourth, when Brookline again went on a hitting spree.

Brookline brought eight batters to the plate in the fourth frame. All reached base safely, with seven hits and one fielding error. Six of the eight baserunners scored to put Brookline safely in the lead, 10-1. Elliott put two runs on the board in the sixth to make it 11-3, and Brookline countered with three more of their own to complete the scoring parade.

Brookline batters banged out seventeen hits to go with their fourteen runs. Twelve of sixteen players stepped foot on home plate to contribute to the impressive run tally. Destiny Stella led all hitters by going 2-2 with a homerun and a double, followed by Salena Jacquay and Hayli Davis, who both went 2-2 with a double. Tori Hudson, Kaitlyn Falce and Julia Vrabel also went 2-2 at the plate. Other hitters were Tori McCrea, 1-2 with a double, and Melina Bushmen, Mia Ely, Zoe Malone and Mikaela Vogel, who all belted singles.

... and the PNC Park scoreboard read ...

Photos from the 12-Under Mayor's Cup Championship Game

Click on images for larger pictures.

The members of the 2012 Brookline 12-Under Mayor's Cup Champions are: Natalie Smith (#9), Tori Hudson (#13), Lindsey Maiorano (#4), Kaitlyn Falce (#6), Hayli Davis (#11), Tori McCrea (#13), Alex Kirsch (#14), Julia Vrabel (#12), Melina Bushmen (#7), Kaylee Russman (#8), Destiny Stella (#15), Joelynn Jones (#1), Mia Ely (#89), Zoe Malone (#27), Salena Jacquay (#2), Ava Barrett (#31), Mikaela Vogel (#22) and Gigi Varlotta (#5 - not present at game). The coaches are Tom Smith, Dave Ely, Sean Malone, Herb Davis and Bobby Sohngen.

    15-Under Championship Game Highlights    

Brookline's 15-Under Girls Slo-Pitch team (13-1) came to PNC Park to square off with rival Elliott (13-1) for the 2012 Pittsburgh Citiparks B.I.G. League Championship and a spot on the prestigious Mayor's Cup Trophy. The two teams had split their games during the regular season. In what was billed as a near even matchup, Brookline beat Elliott by a final score of 13-1.

Pitcher Alexa Perrotti gave up only eight hits while holding Elliott scoreless until the final inning. Brookline's fielders had a near-flawless game, committing only one error. At the plate, Brookline was near-unstoppable, with twenty-one hits. After just three innings the score was 10-0.

The Brookline hitting parade was led by Lexi Cirigliano, who went 3-3 with two doubles and three runs scored, and Katie Smith, whose three hits included a double and triple. Hailey Kottler contributed another two doubles and Amanda McHugh blasted a double and triple. Lisa Cirigliano added a three-bagger and Camri Vrable a two-bagger. All fourteen Brookline batters reached base safely at least once during the game.

... and the PNC Park scoreboard read ...

Photos from the 15-Under Mayor's Cup Championship Game

Click on images for larger pictures.

The members of the 2012 Brookline 15-Under Mayor's Cup Champions are: Hailey Kottler (#7), Lexi Cirigliano (#40), Camri Vrabel (#23), Lisa Cirigliano (#18), Alexa Perrotti (#12), Amanda McHugh (#11), Katie Smith (#13), Kelsey Garrubba (#1), Carly Malize (#14), Alexis DeWaine (#8), Taylor Kottler (#22), Katie McGlynn (#58), Maria Abbondanza (#17) and Arena Xenakis (#3). The coaches are Jim Kottler, Robert "Bibbers" Smith, Kevin Kottler and Steve Perrotti.

Note: The games were announced by Brookline's own Brandon Williams. A familiar voice around Brookline Park during the post-season and tournament games, this was Brandon's first gig on the big stage. He did a good job of keeping the crowd informed and actively engaged. He even had the spectators doing the wave. Good job, Brandon!

* Photos provided by Clint Burton *