Westport Little League’s summer followed a Hollywood script. But a team from California made sure it didn’t have a Hollywood ending.
The group of 11- and 12-year olds reached the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., after failing to get out of their district a year ago, from a league that had never even won a state title, and rallied from seven runs behind to reach the United States championship game.
But Chula Vista Little League gave Westport’s fairy tale story a crushing end Saturday. Westport’s goal of becoming the first local team to win the U.S. title since New Jersey’s Toms River won it all in 1999 fell short, as they were beaten, 12-1, by Chula Vista — the only team to defeat the Connecticut kids the entire summer — Saturday afternoon.
When it was over, Westport manager Tim Rogers made sure his team didn’t focus on the loss.
“Game over,” he told them. “Let’s celebrate the amazing success [we had]. One of the best two teams in the country, best four in the world.”
The first meeting between the teams was far different, Westport blowing a two-run lead in the sixth inning before falling, 6-3, in nine innings. The second matchup wasn’t as competitive, as Chula Vista struck for three first-inning runs off Westport ace Chad Knight that was aided by three Westport errors and never looked back.
Nick Mora was brilliant on the mound, delivering a brilliant 5 2/3 innings, striking out 10 and walking just one, and also put the game out of reach with a three-run blast off Knight — his third homer against Westport (21-2) in the two games. Chula Vista scored six more runs in the sixth, as Mora drove in a run with a single and Michael Gaines plated two with a ringing double.
Matt Stone drove in Westport’s lone run in the first, but Harry Azadian was thrown out trying to advance to third on the plate, short-circuiting the Connecticut’s team’s best rally.
Westport’s season isn’t over yet. They will face Mexico, 3-2 losers to Japan in the International final yesterday, in the third-place game today at 11 a.m. Chula Vista meets Japan in the world championship later at 3 p.m.
There is a celebration and parade planned in Westport tomorrow to honor the team and the Mets have contacted the league about hosting the team for a game at Citi Field.
“It was a dream come true for these boys,” Rogers said. “Memories will last a lifetime and I was just thrilled to be a part of it.”