Cranston's World Series Dream Fades in Tough Loss

The Little League World Series championship dream held by the boys of Cranston Western Little League faded Monday night in a tough 10-3 loss against California.

While the team may be disappointed they’re packing up and heading home, their home city of Cranston — and the rest of Rhode Island — is proud of their accomplishments.

So is Manager Gary Bucci, who said after the game that he’s proud of the boys, proud of the season and has nothing to complain about.

“We just got beat by a better team,” he said.

At this level, though, better might not mean by much since every team that made it to the World Series in Williamsport, Penn., battled their way through state and regional tournaments to get there, facing the best players from the best teams along the way.

Monday night’s game started strong for Cranston Western, which came out of the gate with a 2-0 lead and very sharp pitching by Dylan Demers, who limited California to two one hit and struck out four in the first two innings.

Adding to the momentum was a highlight-reel worthy catch by Cranston’s Tommy Harper, who dove to snag a fly ball that would have easily bounced to the wall for extra bases.

The tide turned in the third when California got a runner on first and third. With one out, they put together back-to-back singles and then a big home run to center, bringing the score to 6-2 in favor of the Golden State.

Cranston couldn’t rally from that point, though David Marchetti delivered a solo blast to left in the third to make it 6-3. But California tacked on four more runs in the top of the sixth, notching the score to 10-3.

California will go on to face Bowling Green, Ky., tonight.

Cranston, meanwhile, will be coming home to open arms and lots of kudos. While the boys will understandably feel a bit defeated, there is no doubt: they’re still champions to us.

Photo: Little League World Series