Port Washington 12U celebrates their New York state championship victory.
Courtesy of David Gabriel
The Port Washington 12-and-under Little League baseball team is headed to the Metro Region tournament after capturing the New York state championship with an 11-5 win over Mid Island of Staten Island on Friday , July 31, at Cesca Field in West Nyack.
Port Washington finished the state tournament with a 4-1 record and earned New York’s spot in the regional tournament in Bristol, Conn. The winner of the Metro Region will move on to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.
Port Washington took control early, scoring three runs in the first inning before breaking the game open with seven more in the third for a 10-0 lead.
Max Dempsey drove in two runs with a single in the opening inning, while another run scored on a throwing error. During the seven-run third, Drew Theoharis delivered an RBI single, Jack Gomez added a two-run single and Ethan Spitalnik hit a two-run double down the left-field line. Theoharis was later named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.
Mid Island answered with five runs in the bottom of the third inning, cutting the lead to 10-5. Carlo Cafferata entered in relief and shut the door, striking out six batters over the final three innings to help secure the state championship.
Manager Dave Gabriel said throughout the tournament the team stayed focused on preparing for different types of pitching, including both fastballs and off-speed pitches, which helped the players feel ready at the plate. He also credited assistant coaches Anthony Theoharis and PJ Gorynski for helping prepare the team each day.
Gabriel also said the support from the Port Washington community has been overwhelming, with families, friends, teachers and residents rallying behind the team throughout its championship run.
With the state title secured, Port Washington now turns its attention to the Metro Region tournament, where it will look to continue its season and compete for a spot in the Little League World Series.