Never in its 63-year history has the Port Washington Little League been crowned New York State champs — until this once-in-a-generation group of boys came around.
“We’ve been playing great baseball,” third baseman Jack Gomez told The Post before heading to the regional round of the Little League World Series in Bristol, Conn.
“We’ve been practicing for a while, and I think we’re ready.”
Now the six-decade-long underdogs are three wins away from the ultimate prize — their first-ever trip to Williamsport, Pa., later in August.
Standing in their way are the best tristate Little Leagues — Bayonne Central, N.J.; Darien, Conn.; and Lincoln, R.I. — for the sole spot to represent the Metro Region in the LLWS.
“Sometimes we mess up, but that’s OK,” center fielder Walter Cassens said. “If we play our game good, then we could definitely win.”
Port Washington’s first epic step in the double-elimination tournament begins against Lincoln at 4 p.m. Saturday on ESPN+.
Few are more thrilled than shortstop Brandon Kien, who on more than one occasion traveled to Bristol to root on New York’s team in the regional round as a fan who loves the game.
Taking the field himself this weekend will be a surreal experience, he said.
“It’s kind of like a dream come true,” Kien said. “And the dorms we’re going to be staying in are sick.”
Boys will be boys
Team camaraderie and bunking together at a hotel for the New York State title tourney in West Nyack have been a huge part of the journey, bringing the boys together.
That and left fielder Carlo Cafferata bringing up his PlayStation 5 for the boys.
“We played it a lot in the hotel,” he said, adding that taking time for basketball and soccer video games became a good luck charm to beat some of the Empire State’s very best.
“We had a lot of fun.”
They plan on keeping the momentum going at the team dorms at the A. Bartlett Giamatti Center in Bristol, this time adding in Wiffle ball and plenty of time for the campus pool on off days.
Smiling and goofing around — when appropriate — is a secret to their success, catcher Michael Gabriel said.
“We’re probably laughing at least half of the time,” he said. “I’m excited to face new teams that we’ve never played and just have fun while not knowing what’s going to happen.”
Long Island’s finest
It’s not just fun and games, though, as the pals from Port Wash know when it’s time to lock in and be laser-focused for the task at hand.
“They’re persistent. They work hard in big spots. They come up big for each other,” assistant coach Anthony Theoharis said. “I think that’s a testament to all the hard work and practice that they’ve put in. We’ve been hitting and fielding for months, and it’s paid off.”
Theoharis added that the team is an even mix of 11- and 12-year-olds, but not having the extra year means very little to the talent and work ethic of the younger guys.
“They’re studs, and the way they all play together as a team is just a lot of fun to coach and watch.”
The coaching staff also wants the group to attack the moment and leave it all out on the field.
“Playing not scared to fail, I think, is something we try to impose on them,” said Theoharis, who added that the parents are even more stoked than the kids to see the games televised.
The moment is doubly exciting for the assistant coach, as he has two boys, third baseman Drew and left fielder Luca, on the dream team.
“It just feels good. It’s once in a lifetime,” Luca said.
Drew, first baseman Max Dempsey and right fielder Ethan Spitalnik all agree.
“Probably just getting to spend time with the team and playing on the big stage is what I’m most looking forward to,” second baseman Jackson Gorynski said.
“I think we’re very confident,” added right fielder Mikey Catuogno. “I think we can make it to Williamsport.”
