11-12 New City Softball All Stars Head to Little League World Series

The 11-12 year are going to the Little League World Series in Portland, OR. The team earned the title of Little League Eastern Regional Champion after defeating Connecticut 9 – 5 on Saturday. They may be getting a big send-off. 

A pep rally is tentatively set for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at Zukor Park in New City. The New City girls are treading new water as the first softball team from New City Little League to reach the World Series and the first team out of New York to advance to the World Series since 2000.

“I am just so proud of my team,” said player Sara Herskowitz. “Everyone was able to contribute with the bat when we needed it. We put in a lot of hard work and we need to stay focused and keep our heads up no matter what. This is definitely something that we will all remember forever.”

New City led most of the game, 9 – 0, until the bottom of the sixth inning when Connecticut scored five runs. Sarah Brauer was the winning pitcher for the game played in Bristol, CT.

New City had a tough week up in Bristol. A flu bug hit the team and a handful of girls were almost unable to play.

“The girls definitely fought through some adversity last week,” said New City Manager Mike Herskowitz. “I think it helped them. We lost two games to two really good teams because we weren’t at our best and we just ran out of steam. After that, we knew we could beat them if we were 100 percent.”

All teams competing in the Little League World Series are invited to do so. Flights, room and board are provided for players and managers. Families and friends handle their own expenses just as if it was a vacation. 

Any community support would be appreciated. Please contact New City Little League President Lon Hoffstein for more information.

According to the New City Little League, this is the team’s game schedule and listed times are Pacific Daylight Time.

• Game against Lombardia Little League from Milano, Italy at 5 p.m. on Aug. 12
• Game against the Southeast Champs (team to be determined) at 3 p.m. on Aug. 13
• Game against Muntinlupa Little League from Muntinlupa, Philippines at 5 p.m. on Aug. 14
• Game against Willow Creek Little League from Beaverton, OR at 8 p.m. on Aug. 15

The semi-finals will be played on Aug. 16 either at 4 p.m. or 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.  The championship game is scheduled for Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. EDT.  The semi-final games and the championship Game can be viewed live on ESPN 2 or ESPN 3.com.

Herskowitz is confident about the challenges ahead for the team.

“We’ve had a lot of girls really step up and contribute over that past few weeks,” said Herskowitz. “We are just going to try to keep playing the way we’ve been playing. We are a very balanced team. If they stay in a routine and play the way they play, I think we will be fine.”