The Darien Little League squad captured an 8‑4 victory over Port Washington on August 12, 2026, in the Metro Region Tournament, securing a spot in the championship game that marks the team’s first regional final appearance since 1961.
A decisive third‑inning rally saw Darien plate five runs, highlighted by a two‑run homer from Hugh Butler that swung momentum in the team’s favor.
Butler finished the game 3‑for‑3 with two home runs, four RBIs and three runs scored, while Johnny Huntington contributed a sliding catch that preserved a lead and later led off with a double in the bottom of the third.
Luca Hidaka drove in a run with an RBI single, and a subsequent error allowed Wells Johnson to cross the plate, extending Darien’s advantage.
A championship showdown looms
Coach Joe Paccione praised the team’s confidence and composure under pressure, noting that the seventh straight elimination‑game win underscores their ability to thrive when the stakes are highest.
The upcoming championship will pit Darien against Bayonne Central from New Jersey, a winner‑take‑all matchup that promises to test the squad’s resilience and cement a historic milestone for the program.