There were long faces at the Black Duck in Westport today as Westport trailed Chula Vista, Calif. 6-1 in the fifth inning of today’s Little League World Series U.S. final in South Williamsport, Pa. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com

Young fans in Lameda Stadium in South Williamsport, Pa. show their support for Westport Little Leaguers today. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Keith Stein for WestportNow.com

A sign on the fence of Westports Luciano Park in the Saugatuck section expresses the sentiments of all Westporters today.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The Westport Arts Center showed its support today of Westport Little Leaguers. Jill Sarver, visual arts coordinator, shows off the message on the Arts Center’s deck. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com

Balducci’s Food Lovers Market was among Westport businesses showing its suport for Westport Little Leaguers today. Balducci’s, which is a Little League sponsor, created a special sandwich to honor the Little Leaguers—the Westport Slugger sandwich made with grilled chicken, chipotle lime marinade, Monterey jack cheese, and roasted peppers. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com

Lamade Stadium was packed today and the adjacent hillside was filling up as Mexico faced Japan before the Westport-Chulavista game at 3:30 p.m .today. A large contingent of Westporters traveled to South Williamsport, Pa. for the U.S. World Series final which will be broacast on ABC.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Keith Stein for WestportNow.com

By James Lomuscio

For Westporters, it was perhaps the most joyous sound—high decibel, heartfelt cheers, arms raised high, fists clenched and hugs all around.

There were tense moments as fans at the Black Duck watched Westport give up 10 runs today before battling back. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com

That was the scene at Dunville’s, the Black Duck, the Westport Library and multiple places around town today where people watched Westport’s Little League team edge Sammamish, Wash. 14-13 in a heart-stopping, come from behind victory.

All eyes were on legend Chad Knight as he drove home the winning run in the bottom of the seventh—the second victory over Washington this week. In their first matchup Sunday, Westport won 9-7.

The win sent Westport into the U.S. final against Chula Vista. Calif. on Saturday—the team that dealt the town’s Little Leaguers their first defeat of the season on Wednesday by a score of 6-3.

UPDATE Chad Knight is all smiles with his parents Craig and Teresa today after his game-winning hit to advance Westport to the U.S. Little League World Series championship Saturday in Williamsport, Pa. “I was really just speechless,” Chad told reporters after the game. He said it was Westport’s biggest comeback of the year, adding, “For us to compete and battle back, It was just amazing.” Chad will be on the mound for Westport on Saturday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Keith Stein for WestportNow.com

Christopher Drbal leaps off home plate today after scoring the winning run on a Chad Knight hit in the bottom of the seventh to give Westport a 14-13 win over Washington in the Little League World Series elimination game. Westport’s dramatic comeback win advances it into Saturday’s U.S. final against Chula Viista, Calif. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Douglas Healey for WestportNow.com