The kids from Staten Island came up short in the Little League World Series, but they did New York proud and left it all out on the field.
The amazing run by the Mid-Island Little League boys came to a screeching halt Thursday night in a 7-3 loss to the Southeast team from Georgia. After scoring three runs in the first, two miscues and a tough chance on a sinking liner to LF in the second inning by the Staten Island team gave Georgia the lead which they never relinquished. Georgia pitcher Tai Peete settled down after the first to throw four scoreless innings.
The Georgia team will face Hawaii in the U.S. championship game on Saturday, the winner to face either South Korea or Japan on Sunday for the trophy.
While the S.I. team, coaches and families are all probably feeling the sting of defeat, they should be proud of what they’ve accomplished, something only a handful of kids out of millions achieve.
After the game manager, Joe Calabrese told Lauren Steussy of the New York Post, “I can’t emphasize how hard these kids worked, for a year. Not just since June 1. The winter workouts. These kids, they work hard. And that’s a life lesson — you work hard, and good things happen.”
Calabrese added, “If they put that same effort into their life they’re going to go far, and I’m very happy about that.”
It was a great run, one that these boys and their families will never forget. Hold your heads high and root for your country this weekend!
New York salutes you Mid-Island Little League!
