BRISTOL, Conn. — It’s a proud day on the south shore of Long Island.
Massapequa Coast punched its ticket to the Little League World Series in the most legendary of ways: a 4-0, no-hit victory over mighty Toms River East of New Jersey to clinch the Metro Region in Bristol, Conn., on Friday night. They are the first Long Island team to go to the World Series since Rockville Centre in 1978.
This is also the first time Massapequa Coast has ever reached Williamsport, Pa., in its 72-year history, a feat that has caught a great deal of attention around the country.
Manager Roland Clark first observed that many out of staters were pulling for his squad ahead of the regional finals, but after the no-no from pitcher Joey Lionetti — a performance that made ESPN highlights — fans across America began rooting for Massapequa from coast to coast.
Massapequa’s first game in the World Series, which begins Wednesday, is scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m. (ESPN) against the winner of a game between Bonney Lake, Wash., and Honolulu.
Massapequa Coast Little League punched its ticket to the Little League World Series on Friday.For the NY POST Photo/Robert SaboClark, who has been preoccupied with the logistics of his team’s Williamsport arrival, said he hasn’t had the chance to let things sink in yet. But when it comes to the team’s success and popularity, he told his squad, “job well done and well deserved.”
“Massapequa Coast has now overtaken the Dallas Cowboys as America’s team. This is the underdog that nobody expected to be here,” said Nassau County executive Bruce Blakeman, who attended the game Friday and has turned into an avid Massapequa Coast fan. “They have true grit, determination, and they have a great sense of teamwork.”
Catcher Ryan Huksloot said being called America’s team has a nice ring to it.
“I feel pretty good about that. … It feels like pretty much everyone is rooting for us, and I hope we can meet their expectations,” he told The Post before getting on a Williamsport-bound team bus. “It feels like we’re professional athletes.”
Others on the squad, such as right fielder Brendan Hanley, are soaking up the sudden stardom — especially on a local level.
“It felt really good because now everyone in the town knows us, even our teachers are saying congratulations,” Hanley said. “Even the ones who didn’t like us.”
The group of boys have attracted a massive following from Long Island.Douglas HealeyAs for the hero of the game Friday night, Lionetti is still simply taking in the moment.
“It’s starting to sink in, it was incredible, unbelievable what I did last night,” he said, adding that “it was pretty cool” to learn Scott Mayfield of the NHL’s Islanders tweeted about his outstanding six innings.
When it comes to settling in at the Little League World Series, Lionetti and his teammates have a mission beyond winning more ball games. They want to make friends.
“We made a couple friends with the teams [in the Metro], but I’m hoping to make more in Williamsport,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to dorming again with my teammates and to keep getting closer with them, plus they have an arcade and stuff there.”
Ryan Huskloot said he’s looking most forward to exchanging with international teams — which have rejoined the tournament for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic — in the upcoming days.
“Meeting all these kids from other countries, they’re the best in their nation and they worked hard for it,” he said. “I’m just happy to meet them and talk to them about how baseball is where they’re from.”
Beyond the game uniting nations, some on the Massapequa team are already thinking like professionally endorsed athletes.
“I’m most looking forward to being given all new equipment [from Little League] to be honest,” first baseman Alex Pagano said, with Hanley reiterating the sentiment.
Though this spectacular moment is extraordinary enough for the Massapequans — whose fans filled not only the Connecticut field, but also their home diamond at Burns Park for a watch party — Clark was able to share an especially magical moment with his son, third baseman Michael Clark.
The manager reached the same kind of regional tournament while playing for Massapequa International Little League in 1989, but was eliminated on the very same Bristol Field. That 1989 team was the most recent from town to get that close to the World Series.
“[My dad] had that same [elated] feeling after winning states and going to regionals, I just loved sharing the moment with him,” said Michael, who immediately jumped into his father’s arms at the final out.
But the standout athlete wouldn’t get too sappy during an interview. He knows there’s a job ahead and lots of preparation in the upcoming days. The younger Clark is certainly not taking things for granted.
“I know that I’ve done something most kids have never done or dreamed of,” he said. “We’re pumped, we’re going to use all of the energy we’ve got, keep fighting the whole time.”
