Farm League Championship Game: Mariners 11,  Blue Jays 4

Pierce "the Fierce" Burnham brought the big wood to the Mariners' offense in Friday's championship game, going 3-for-3 with three runs scored on the night, including a two-RBI triple in the fourth to deep right field. Damian "the Destroyer" Pagliuca and Vincent "Lightning" Pagliuca both scored two runs and each had a double in the win. Harry "Wheels" Agganis, Charlie "the Champion" Sarno, Cole "the Flash" Donahue, and Ryan "RBI" DiCarlo all had two hits, with Agganis delivering an RBI double in the first inning to get the Mariners off to a good start. Bryce "Boss Man" Fitts, who has been a sensational leadoff hitter all season, rounded out the scoring with one run as part of the Mariners' fourth inning rally.

The Mariners saved their best defense for the final game of the season. The tone was set early by a high fly ball catch made by Agganis in center field that robbed the Blue Jays of their first inning lead-off hit. Jake "JakePotataCake" Barros and Jack "Smiles" Dhimitri added several key plays. Sarno made several key stops and Burnham added a fourth-inning-ending throw to Agganis at home plate for the third out to hold the Blue Jays to a single run. Donahue helped close out the fifth and final inning with a perfect throw to first.

It seems fitting that the Blue Jays and Mariners would meet in the championship game after each team took a win off the other in the regular season. This matchup of two great teams ultimately ended with the Mariners getting the decision after a defensive duel that saw both teams go multiple innings with no runs.

Minor League Championship Game: River Bandits 7, Thunder 3

The River Bandits stormed out to a 6-0 early lead, then held on thanks to clutch pitching and defense to upend the Thunder, 7-3, in the Minor League title game Saturday at Benevento Park. Pacing the winners' offense were Nolan Barrette, who had two hits and drove in a pair of runs, Charlie Cooper, who had a pair of RBI, and Scotty Costello and Matthew Mancinell, who each brought home runs.

On the mound, Mancinelli, went 3.2 strong innings, fanning nine to earn the victory. Reliever Jakob Hulett closed out the game in dramatic fashion with the tying run at the plate and the Thunder attempting to pull off a huge rally. Two runs had already scored and the bases were loaded with one out when Hulett snared a soft liner for the second out. He then astutely flipped the ball to Barrette at first base before the runner could get back to the bag to complete the double play, end the game, and start the championship celebration. Earlier in the game, Barrette made a diving stop at first base to end the fourth inning.

Christian Lava had a two-run single for the Thunder as part of that sixth-inning rally.

North Reading Little League has long been recognized as having one of the best youth baseball programs in the state. Now the state’s best will be coming to North Reading.

Last week, the Massachusetts Little League District Administrators announced that North Reading has been selected to host the 2017 State Championships. The week-long tournament will bring together the state’s four best 12-year-old all-star teams, with the victor going on to represent the Commonwealth in the New England Championships in Bristol, Ct. That winner then advances to Williamsport, Pa., to compete in the popular Little League World Series.

“This is a testament to the strength of our program and the dedication of our Board of Directors,” said NRLL president Eddie Madden. “This was a competitive selection process – multiple Little League programs across the state were vying to win the right to host this prestigious event. It’s the first time in almost four decades that a league from District 13 has been selected to host the state championship.

“There will be numerous corporate sponsors represented during the tournament,” Madden added. “And it will be an excellent opportunity for the area business community.”

The championships will take place at Benevento Memorial Fields in mid-to-late July of next year, with the actual dates dependent on the Williamsport schedule. Beverly and Lynn Wyoma have hosted the last two state tournaments, and Westwood will be the site for the 2016 championships.

Prior to making their decision, state administrators toured Benevento and were impressed by the quality of its fields and its amenities, as well as other planned facility improvements.

“We are very excited to have the 2017 Little League State Championship hosted in District 13,” said District Administrator and Massachusetts Little League Board member John Berardi. “North Reading is only the third league in our District to be selected as the Tournament host, joining Wakefield (1978) and Woburn (1952-57).

“Along with their facilities, one of the main elements supporting their bid are their League volunteers. North Reading Little League continues to have a very strong core group who have shown their ability to host by taking on our Sectional and Jimmy Fund tournaments for several years,” Berardi added. “The State Finals are a challenge for any host, but I am fully confident that North Reading will make the 2017 event a success.”

Madden is eager for that challenge.

“We are looking forward to working with our partners in the Parks and Recreation Department to make sure that Benevento continues to be the premier Little League complex in the area,” he said. “And we’ll also be working with a wide variety of the town’s departments to ensure that all of our fans and players are safe and able to enjoy the festivities for the entire week. We’ve already begun planning for the tournament and are working on a number of improvements and initiatives.”

Massachusetts Little League is divided into 16 districts, which each crowning a champion that then plays in one of the four sectional tournaments. Sectional champions then compete for the state title. North Reading has hosted numerous District and Sectional tournaments in recent years, including last year’s 12-year-old Sectional Championships.

“We have a rich baseball tradition here in North Reading and being awarded this tournament means that this tradition is being recognized across the entire state,” said Madden.

More immediately, North Reading Little League is preparing for the 2016 season. More than 400 boys and girls, ages 4-16, have already signed up to play this spring, with registration ongoing. Opening Day is set for Saturday, April 9, at Benevento Fields.

For more information on North Reading Little League, the state championships, and to sign up to play this spring, visit www.nrll.org.