Three years ago, Nena Melendez and her Brookfield softball all-star teammates started to wear their hair in braids for games.
“Ever since we wore braids, we were on a winning streak,” Melendez said. “I just think of that in my head every time they ask what hair style we should do.”
On Thursday, the Brookfield Majors 12-and-under team continued those winning ways with the District 9 championship after a 10-0, five-inning victory over LaGrange Park at Ehlert Park for a perfect 3-0 record in the double-elimination bracket.
Team members are Ema Beattie, Lea Becker, Grace Campbell, Justina Costello, Kallie Hickey, Viv Kowynia, Melendez, Lyla Pigoni, Maeve Toland, Josie Stremski, Josie Swanson and Yannis Villamil. The manager is Mike Melendez, with assistant coaches Dave Campbell and Ed Kowynia.
This group has won districts at every age group. For Campbell, Kowynia, Melendez, Pigoni and Swanson, it’s four straight titles, starting with two on the Minors 10U level.
“It’s a really good feeling to keep the tradition going,” Pigoni said. “Once we realized this is our last all-star year, it’s more emotional and it gives us a better strive to win.”
“I really wanted to come out and win because we’ve won so many years in the past. I don’t want to let the tradition die,” Kowynia said. “And every team is coming for us because we won [previously]. It just felt like more of a responsibility to win.”
The Illinois state tournament begins July 6 in downstate Rushville. That winner advances to the Central Regional in the only age group that continues beyond state.
In 2023, Brookfield softball Majors captured state for the first time since 2006 and played at regionals in Whitestown, Ind. with its three games broadcast live on ESPN Plus.
Brookfield’s Vivien Kowynia (55) connects for a hit against La Grange Park during the Illinois Major League Softball District 9 Championship Thursday, June 27, 2024 in Brookfield, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Brookfield’s Josie Swanson (1) heads off second base during their game against La Grange Park during the Illinois Major League Softball District 9 Championship Thursday, June 27, 2024 in Brookfield, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Brookfield’s coach Dave Campbell celebrates with Lyla Pigoni (13) after Pigoni hit a bases loaded triple in third inning to give Brookfield a 5-0 lead against La Grange Park during the Illinois Major League Softball District 9 Championship Thursday, June 27, 2024 in Brookfield, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Brookfield’s first baseman Kallie Hickey (10) makes the catch and out at first against La Grange Park during the Illinois Major League Softball District 9 Championship Thursday, June 27, 2024 in Brookfield, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Brookfield’s Grace Campbell (12) and Yannis Villamil (77) hug and celebrate their victory over La Grange Park during the Illinois Major League Softball District 9 Championship Thursday, June 27, 2024 in Brookfield, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark)
“I think seeing what [last year’s Majors] did has motivated them,” Mike Melendez said. “We’ve made up for [last year’s team] with a lot of hard work, hours, starting back in September. They want to do what those girls did. The goal is to win state and this is the first step.”
Last year’s Majors team tied for fifth at regionals with a 1-2 record. The roster included Kowynia’s sister, Elly, and Brailyn Nailor, who suggested braids in 2021.
“[Elly] kind of was like I want you guys to do good but I don’t really want you guys to do better than us,” Kowynia said. “I wanted to get really far because of them and because I’ve always kind of looked up to them.”
This year’s braids are accompanied by ever more ribbons in the team’s blue, yellow and white uniform colors, for those who can wear them.
“My hair ties always snap so I just never really put them on,” Villamil said.
Melendez pitched a one-hit shutout Thursday with three strikeouts and two walks.
Leadoff hitter Pigoni was 3 for 3 with a bases-loaded triple, five runs batted in and two runs scored. Villamil (2 for 2, RBI), Becker (2 for 2, 2 runs), Campbell (2 RBIs), Kowynia and Swanson (singles) and Toland (2 runs) also contributed.
Melendez also was the winning pitcher when Brookfield edged LaGrange Park 7-6 in the June 23 district opener after trailing 4-1. Costello scored the winning run after a missed pickoff attempt in the bottom of the fifth. Brookfield then beat La Grange 11-1 in four innings, June 25.
The first inning set the tone Thursday. LaGrange Park, which batted first, loaded the bases with one out but Melendez used a force out at home and called third strikeout to end the threat.
“I felt like I had a lot of pressure when you’ve won three years in a row,” Nena Melendez said. “Our mental game is very strong on this team.”
Pigoni and Villamil singled to start the first and scored for a 2-0 lead. In the third, Pigoni’s triple and Villamil’s RBI single fueled a 7-0 lead. Pigoni’s two-run single to score Becker and Toland ended the game by the 10-run rule.
Ten players were part of last year’s 11U district titlist, which lost in the state championship 18-7 in four innings to Clarendon Hills at Ehlert.
“It’s a better feeling coming back [here] with a win,” Nena Melendez said. “And now at state we’re ready to get the W there.”
