Fairfield American Reaches Little League World Series With Historic Win

FAIRFIELD, CT — The Fairfield American Little League team has arrived at its dream destination in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, but the journey is far from over. Fairfield, the New England Regional champions, is ready to embark on a new season in the Little League World Series, but getting there was just part of the journey. Fairfield has high expectations in the double-elimination tournament in the U.S. bracket, which begins Thursday afternoon in a showdown with Holbrook Little League, the Mid-Atlantic champions out of Jackson, New Jersey.

Fairfield American manager Mike Randazzo told the Hartford Courant that the team is not “just happy to be there” but is going there to win. (To sign up for Fairfield breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

Fairfield advanced to Williamsport with a 10-0 victory over South Portland, Maine, in the New England Regional final Saturday in Bristol. Fairfield American (18-0) made Connecticut history by becoming the first state program to advance to the Little League World Series three times. The Fairfield American program also advanced to the Little League World Series in the 2010 and 2012 seasons.

In the New England Regional final, Fairfield took a 3-0 lead in third inning and added four more runs in the fourth on the strength of doubles by Sean O'Neil and Michael Iannazzo. Fairfield finished with 13 hits in the victory.

Iannazzo finished with four RBIs, while Matthew Vivona went 3-for-4 and Ethan Righter added two hits and two runs scored. Righter also picked up the win on the mound, allowing only four hits and striking out nine in 4 1/3 scoreless innings.

Fairfield and Holbrook will face off at 3 p.m. on Thursday and the game will be aired on ESPN.

Fairfield American received well wishes from former New York Yankee Nick Swisher on Monday. In a video message, Swisher, who won a World Series title with the Yankees in 2009, congratulated Fairfield for reaching the Little World Series.

“Remember what you’re playing for,” Swisher said. “You’re playing for the front of your jersey and not for the back. Remember that and bring home that trophy.”

Photo via Little League Baseball