The Lowell 12U All Star Team is on an extraordinary journey in the 2024 Cal Ripken 12U Tournament!
After clinching their district title with a victory over Chelmsford, they stormed through the state tournament, triumphing over North Attleboro to seize the state crown.
Now, they’re in Acushnet, MA, vying for the New England Region Championship.
The excitement kicked off on Saturday, and Lowell has already defeated a formidable lineup: the Western Mass Champion Marlboro, the Vermont Champion Central Vermont, and the Connecticut Champion Beth-Wood.
Their unstoppable run is fueled by stellar pitching and rock-solid defense.
Bryceson Silva, Owen White, and Keegan Foley each have secured complete game victories in the regionals. Their efforts are bolstered by defensive stars like Jake McNeil at shortstop, JC Sotirakos at second base, Yoden Arias behind the plate, and Tyler Durkin at first base.
On the offensive front, Conor McNamara and Ryan Galvin are leading the charge, with Logan Thurston, Sam Hines, and Luke Brown making significant contributions both on the mound and at the plate.
Guiding this talented squad are manager Steve McNamara and coaches Brian Durkin, Brian White, and Dave McNeil.
The team’s next challenge is the New England Region semifinals on Wednesday. The stakes are high: a win will send them to the Cal Ripken World Series in Branson, Missouri, where they’ll compete against champions from across the United States and international teams. Go Lowell!
Follow the team along this exciting journey by following Lowell Youth Baseball & Softball League on Facebook!
Meet Lowell Baseball’s 12U Stars
Jake McNeil #1
Favorite player: Francisco Lindor
Favorite food: Steak
Favorite baseball memory: Double play against Milton in state semi-finals
What’s the best thing about your coaches? “They encourage me to be the best person I can be on and off the field “
Yoden Arias #2
Favorite player: Ronald Acuña Jr.
Favorite food: Spanish Rice, beans and fried chicken
Favorite baseball memory: Yesterday’s win with the last out to forward us to semi-finals.
What’s the best thing about your coaches? “A coach is someone who gives correction without belittling his players, and taking their players where we can’t take ourselves and that is what our coaches do best.”
Luke Brown #3
Favorite player: Rafael Devers
Favorite food: Ice cream
Favorite baseball memory: Winning states
What’s the best thing about your coaches? “They can teach me new baseball skills”
JC Sotirakos #4
Favorite player: Elly De La Cruz
Favorite food: Chicken Broccoli Ziti
Favorite baseball memory: Winning the States and Making it here to Regionals!
What’s the best thing about your coaches? “They always believe in me”
Ryan Galvin #6
Favorite player: Bryce Harper
Favorite food: Pasta
Favorite baseball memory: First home run
What’s the best thing about your coaches? “They push me and hold me accountable.”
Keegan Foley #7
Favorite player: Ken Griffey Jr
Favorite food: Fried Pickles
Favorite baseball memory: 1st Homerun vs Brookline 11u Baystates
What’s the best thing about your coaches? “They respect me, are fun and coach me the right way to succeed.”
Logan Thurston #8
Favorite player: José Ramírez
Favorite food: French fries
Favorite baseball memory: First home run
What’s the best thing about your coaches? “They help us improve as players and as people.”
Tyler Durkin #10
Favorite player: Freddie Freeman
Favorite food: Steak and cheese sub
Favorite baseball memory: Double play against Milton
What’s the best thing about your coaches? “They teach us to be resilient and strive to be the best players we can be.”
Owen White #11
Favorite player: Jarren Duran
Favorite food: Chicken parmesan
Favorite baseball memory: Throwing a no hitter and hitting a homerun in the same game
What’s the best thing about your coaches? “The light and fun mood of the coaching staff”
Bryceson Silva #13
Favorite player: Mookie Betts
Favorite food: Chicken Alfredo
Favorite baseball memory: Pitching in the State quarter-finals
What’s the best thing about your coaches? “They support me and always show support”
Conor McNamara #21
Favorite player: Mike Trout
Favorite food: Steak
Favorite baseball memory: Hitting a Grand Slam versus Newburyport 12U in Bay States!
What’s the best thing about your coaches? “They keep me motivated”
Sam Hines #27
Favorite player: David Ortiz
Favorite food: Buffalo wings
Favorite baseball memory: Winning the Baystate Tournament of Champions 2023
What’s the best thing about your coaches? “My coaches love baseball and are very dedicated to the team. They push me to get better every year.”
Thank you to Lowell Youth Baseball & Softball League‘s President Ryan Rourke and to Coach Brian White for contributing to this article and to Meghan White for pulling together the photos and player profiles!
6 responses to “Lowell’s 12U Team Shines Bright this Summer – Meet the Players”
Awesome article. Great job!
Go get em Boys ! Bring home the title!! You guys are making memories.
What a great season , great group of kids and coaches , great article ! Good Luck ! Go Lowell and continue to have fun during your run to the World Series!
What a great seaon! These boys know how to work hard, be focused and truly appreciate the value of teamwork. Looking forward to today and beyond…
Lots of memories you will never forget! Congrats to all the players and coaches and parents! These kids will forever love the game of baseball and that’s what it’s all about!
Those 11- and 12-year-old ages of baseball are some of the funnest, as kids learn to love the game while building character and learning to be competitors.
While most of these kids likely won’t reach the highest levels of baseball, the experiences they’re having teach lessons that can’t really be learned in almost any other way.
Good luck in the semi-finals, Lowell All-Stars!