UPDATE Westport came from behind with a five-run fifth inning and three in the sixth but could not prevail today as Mexico won the Little League World Series consolation game 15-14 at South Williamsport, Pa. Chad Knight had two home runs.
Westport will welcome home the Little Leaguers with a Monday parade on Main Street at 5 p.m. with a ceremony to follow on Jesup Green. Also to be honored are the 10-11 girls softball team which won the state championship.
In today’s game, Knight had two home runs and drove in seven runs, Harry Azadian had a three-run homer, and Matt Brown and Matt Stone had solo shots for Westport, which lost 12-1 to Chula Vista, Calif., in the U.S. title game on Saturday.
Mexico’s World Series run ended with a 3-2 loss to Japan for the international title on Saturday.
Today’s game saw Westport stage another stirring rally that had become their trademark in this tournament, scoring five times in the top of the fifth to tie it.
Harry Azadian hit a three-run homer and Matt Stone followed with a solo shot to center.
Westport manager Tim Rogers told reporters after the game: “We’ll reflect on this for sure. I could not be more proud of the kids.
“They proved that they belong here, playing baseball right at the top of the world. Look how competitive they are. For them to stick with it, work, work, work, that’s more important.”
Rogers said it will be hard adjusting once he is at home after being with the team through the regionals in Bristol and the World Series in South Williamsport.
But he said the memories will remain.
“They don’t give up,” he said of his players. “Sure, we would have liked to have won, but the way they battled, we’re feeling good.”
