St. James-Smithtown Little League Eyes World Series After Dominating Win
St. James-Smithtown Little League is on the brink of a historic achievement, set to compete for a spot in the Little League World Series this Friday at 7 p.m.
“Not in a million years did I see this coming,” Bulls manager Scott Santelli remarked after his team secured a 6-1 victory against Fairfield International Little League from Connecticut, propelling the Long Island squad into the Metro region final in Bristol, Connecticut.
Reflecting on last season's early exit from the district tournament, Santelli expressed disbelief at the team's current success. “I came into this season only thinking about making it past that, and since then, it’s all been gravy,” he added.
Following the final out on Monday, Santelli sprinted to the outfield, joining his jubilant players in a celebration that marked a significant milestone for both towns involved.
“It was just a ball of energy in my stomach I had to get out,” he said, acknowledging the excitement that enveloped the team. The Bulls remain undefeated in their Metro games, showcasing their prowess on ESPN.
Ryan Delgado, who took the mound, delivered an impressive performance with five strikeouts, maintaining the Bulls' lead for the first 3 ²/₃ innings. “Last night, I just went with my gut by making him the starter,” Santelli noted. “He’s a bulldog, he’s just a pure athlete.”
Delgado also contributed offensively, driving in two crucial runs with an RBI single in both the third and fifth innings against Fairfield. “I’ve been seeing the ball really well. My swing is level. Things are great,” he stated confidently.
Lucas Kostas continued to impress with an RBI double in the second inning, marking his fourth hit and fifth run batted in since the team’s opening win over Rhode Island’s Burrillville Little League. Santelli explained that Kostas’ position at the bottom of the lineup was strategic rather than punitive.
“I like the idea of power at the back of the lineup,” Kostas said. “Even at the bottom of the order, we can score as much as the top does.”
Kevin Moran, who leads pregame meditations for the team, closed out the game by securing the last seven outs while limiting Fairfield to just one run attributed to Delgado in the fourth inning. “The pregame meditation is really working. Everyone’s hitting the ball very well and playing very well,” Moran commented.
Fairfield will face New Jersey’s Jackson-Holbrook for a chance to compete in the championship on Wednesday at 5 p.m. In their previous matchup, Fairfield triumphed in extra innings after an illegal headfirst slide by New Jersey ended their hopes of tying the game.
With a few days off filled with poker and Wiffle ball, the Bulls are preparing for what could be the biggest game of their lives while enjoying local support that has reached a fever pitch.
“Our local bars have the game on; we’re getting videos from people just going nuts,” Santelli shared. “St. James-Smithtown — we put it on the map.”
For pitcher and first baseman Jeremy Katz from nearby Kings Park, this moment is also about showcasing his hometown's talent. “Kings Park is a small town, but it’s not a one-hit wonder,” Katz declared after a standout performance with three RBIs. “Talent comes from Kings Park, and people should know that.”
