State of the Heart of the Empire

The St. James Smithtown Little League has clinched the New York State title, just a few victories away from reaching Williamsport.

“It feels good. We’ve worked really hard, and it’s been quite a journey with my teammates over the last four years,” outfielder Eric Hanson shared after the team’s first boys’ New York Championship event.

In a decisive match, the team triumphed 7-2 against Mersey, a group they had previously lost to 8-2 during pool play.

Starting off 2-0 in a do-or-die situation on Friday morning, the players faced a challenge with the opposing team’s off-speed pitches. Manager Scott Santelli mentioned they had to rethink their approach.

“We basically said, ‘Hey guys, you need to look for curveballs instead of fastballs,’” he explained. “That’s not usually what you tell them.”

James, Santelli’s son and a left fielder, remembered how their team had rallied back in a past tournament against West Saville.

“We’ve had moments like this,” he said.

Pitcher and New York State Home Run Derby champion Jeremy Katz sparked a comeback with a solo home run in the second inning, narrowing the South Shore lead to 2-1.

Long Island was electrified after Katz hit another two-run homer, leading to a six-run inning as the team took command.

“When Jeremy hit that second home run, the crowd went wild,” Hanson recalled. “We really got everyone hyped up…it felt like a home game.”

St. James Smithtown is set to compete in the Little League Mettorienal Tournament, facing off against top teams from New Jersey, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, starting with a game at 7 PM on August 2nd.

The champion of this tournament will move on to the Little League World Series in August.

“I used to see the games on ESPN when I was younger, and now I’m going to be part of it. That’s really something special,” Santelli reflected.

“I truly believe we have a shot.”