St. James-Smithtown loses in a tough game, missing out on LLWS

Bristol, Connecticut – The End of the Bulls Rodeo

St. James Smithtown Little League faced a bittersweet conclusion to their season, falling short in the Little League World Series Metro Regional title game.

The team ended with a solid 12-1 record. They played in front of an enthusiastic crowd in Bristol, Connecticut, but couldn’t overcome Fairfield National, whose starting pitcher, Lucapellegrini, shined on the mound.

“You never want to lose like this, yet we had an amazing run,” reflected Bulls manager Scott Santelli.

His sentiments ran deeper—it wasn’t just about missing the chance at Williamsport; it was about saying goodbye to players he had seen grow from boys into young men. “Watching them grow… I remember their voices changing last year. They’re really great kids. I hope I’ve made a mark on their lives,” he shared.

Starting pitcher Jeremy Katz had a rough outing, being replaced in the first inning after a decent start for his team that led to a 6-1 score. Kevin Moran stepped in but struggled, giving up six runs over three innings before Ryan Delgado came to pitch. Unfortunately, he too had a tough night, allowing three additional runs in the fourth. Gary Rocco finally managed to calm the situation, but the damage had been done.

The offense that had propelled the team to the finals fell silent, facing two no-hit innings at the game’s start. Only catcher JT Borowski managed to break Pellegrini’s strong performance with a hit in the third inning. Chase Saxon’s walk added a run, but it wasn’t nearly enough as they faced defeat.

“That was our moment,” lamented Santelli. “But you know, it’s just one of those days,” he added, with a touch of resignation.

Even with the disappointing end to the double-elimination tournament, St. James Smithtown had an impressive season. They had remained undefeated until the championship game, marking a historic achievement as New York State’s first champions in their joint league. Katz also garnered the title of home run derby champion in the Empire State.

Throughout this unforgettable journey, teammates fondly dubbed it the best summer of their lives. The camaraderie was palpable; they played Wiffleball with teams from other leagues during their downtime, making lasting friendships. Fans from their Suffolk County neighborhood turned out in numbers, filling local bars to cheer them on.

“When I looked up into the crowd, it felt like we had just as many supporters as the other side,” Santelli noted, his parents among those cheering loudly.