Fairhaven Acushnet Youth Baseball Season Ends in Thrilling Championship Sweep

Warm summer nights were made for baseball, and Monday night at Pope Park in Acushnet was one of them.

The weather was perfect on August 31. The lights were shining over the field and families filled the sidelines to support the kids. It had that all-American nostalgic feeling that brought me right back to the summer nights of my own childhood.

I sat on the sidelines as Care Free Homes took the field against Profishant in Game 2 of the Fairhaven Acushnet Youth Baseball Majors Division Championship Series. Care Free had already earned a thrilling 6-5 walk-off victory in Game 1, meaning one more win would make them champions.

There would be no need for a third game.

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Care Free Homes Finishes the Job

Care Free Homes came ready to play, defeating Profishant 14-1 and completing the championship sweep. Scott Vardo was a force on both sides of the ball. He was credited with five RBIs on two hits and also pitched four innings, allowing just one hit and one run while striking out nine batters.

Fairhaven Acushnet Youth Baseball Season Ends in Thrilling Championship Sweep From Team Care Free Homes

The entire lineup contributed. Brooks Seed collected three hits from the leadoff spot, while Kellan Hughes finished with two. Carter St. Germain doubled, and the team showed patience and speed with seven walks and nine stolen bases.

The championship roster included Brooks Seed, Scott Vardo, Carter St. Germain, Kellan Hughes, Brantley Soucy, Jonathan Pavao, Thomas Muldoon, Colton Nicol, Dylan Saraiva, Emmett Schroeder and Tucker Mydlack.

A Championship Season Worth the Wait

This was not an ordinary baseball season. Coach Tony Hughes told us it began in the middle of April but stretched all the way through Aug. 31 because so many FAYB players made deep runs in their Cal Ripken tournaments. FAYB’s 10-year-olds reached the state finals, the 11-year-olds won a state championship and the 12-year-olds also advanced to the state tournament. Game 2 of the Majors championship was delayed for three weeks, but the boys stayed ready.

Fairhaven Acushnet Youth Baseball Season Ends in Thrilling Championship Sweep From Team Care Free Homes

On Tuesday morning, Coach Hughes brought Carter, Kellan, Brooks, Scott and Emmett into The MGM Show studio. They arrived carrying their championship hardware, including the team trophy and Kellan’s playoff MVP award. The boys talked about their positions, their favorite pitches and what it felt like to win together. Coach Hughes could not have been prouder, especially as Care Free Homes celebrated its second straight championship.

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For a few players, this was their final game before aging out of the division. For others, there is already talk of returning next season and trying for three in a row. Either way, Monday night delivered something these kids and their families will remember for years: friends, baseball, a beautiful summer night and a championship celebration under the lights.