Port Washington’s 12U Little League baseball team clinched the New York state championship on Saturday, downing Mid Island 11‑5 at Cesca Field in West Nyack. The win capped a 4‑1 run through the tournament and followed an early 10‑0 lead that set the tone for the entire game.
The offense exploded right away, with Max Dempsey delivering a two‑run single in the first inning and a throwing error extending the lead. Drew Theoharis, named tournament most outstanding player, sparked a seven‑run third inning with an RBI single that put the team firmly in control.
Road to the Metro Region
With the state title secured, the champions will represent New York at the Metro Region tournament beginning August 8 in Bristol, Connecticut. The upcoming regional event will pit the best Little League squads from the Northeast against one another in a bid for national contention.
Mid Island fought back in the third inning, scoring five runs highlighted by Jordan Epshteyn’s two‑run double and Mason Garland’s two‑run homer. Despite the rally, Port Washington’s pitching staff held firm, anchored by Carlo Cafferata, who entered in relief and struck out six batters to preserve the lead.
The final out was marked by a chorus of fans chanting “one more out!” as the game concluded in the bottom of the sixth inning. The moment encapsulated the community’s excitement and the team’s perseverance throughout the tournament.
Key contributors from the roster include Jackson Gorynski, Brandon Kien, Jack Gomez, Ethan Spitalnik, Jordan Epshteyn, Mason Garland, Carlo Cafferata, Max Dempsey, and Drew Theoharis. Their performances have drawn attention from local supporters and the broader Little League community.