Brookfield 12U softball team edged for District 9 title

The end of the season for the Brookfield Little League Majors 12-Under softball all-star team Monday was especially emotional.

Brookfield’s 5-3 loss to Western Springs in seven innings in the District 9 championship series at Ehlert Park not only was close. This also marked the end for the group in the oldest age division for Little League softball, after winning the 2024 districts at 11U.

“It was a tough loss. They fought really hard to get back to this spot and then a few things just didn’t go our way,” Brookfield manager Andy Righeimer said. “It’s a great group. I’m very proud of everything they did.” 

Brookfield Majors softball team members were Molly Beattie, Olivia Buscemi, Leila Chavez, Brooklyn Depke, Hailey Franklin, Amelia Johnson, Sophia LaLonde, Isabella Raygoza, Eloise Righeimer, Eulalia Sokol, Josie Stremski and Maeve Toland. They were coached by Andy Righeimer, Zach Toland and Erin Depke.

Had Brookfield won Monday’s extra-inning nail-biter, the team still needed to beat Western Springs in another game immediately afterward in the double-elimination format to become district champions and advance to the state tournament. 

Brookfield nearly pulled it off after losing to Western Springs 4-0 in their first meeting July 2. Brookfield opened with a 17-0 victory over Riverside, June 30, and through the consolation bracket reached the championship by beating La Grange 6-3, Saturday.

Batting as the home team Monday, Brookfield came back to tie the game 1-1 in the second and 3-3 in the fourth.

“[Monday] was an intense game. It went up and down so often,” Andy Righeimer said. “They just picked each other up every moment they had. They were in it until the end.” 

When the game remained tied 3-3 after six regulation innings, both teams began the seventh with a runner at second base. 

Western Springs immediately got an infield single, stolen base and two-run single from standout pitcher Avery Stojak.

Pitcher Toland then retired the next three hitters, including a great catch by rightfielder Depke. Brookfield was retired 1-2-3 in the seventh.

“Coming back [from the 4-0 loss] and getting back to the championship game really pumped them up a lot,” Andy Righeimer said. “I felt like our adrenaline, spirits were really high going into it.”  

Brookfield tied the game in the fourth when LaLonde singled, stole second and third base and scored on an errant pickoff throw. Toland earlier was hit by a pitch, stole second and scored on Stremski’s single.

In the second, Raygoza walked and eventually scored from third on a delayed steal.

Andy Righeimer has coached his two daughters and son every softball or baseball season.

“I’ve got a son [in Minors] so we’ll keep going with it,” he said. “We’re lifers in Brookfield Little League. It’s a great organization.” 

Also in Majors softball, Riverside was 1-2 and North Riverside was 0-2. 

In Juniors softball, Brookfield finished third in District 9 with a 1-2 record. 

For 10U softball, Brookfield and North Riverside begin District 9 play against each other Wednesday. Riverside starts Thursday against La Grange or LaGrange Park. 

In the three-team 11U softball district, North Riverside defeated Riverside 12-5 in Monday’s first game and is scheduled to play La Grange Tuesday. 

In Little League baseball, District 9 pool play began Monday for Brookfield, Riverside and North Riverside in Majors and Brookfield and Riverside in 11U. 

Brookfield was 0-2 in District 9 Intermediate baseball.