Could the Fairfield Americans be on their way to being the Little League World Series champions?
The Connecticut players handily defeated a team from Auburn, Washington 3-1,on opening day of the series in Williamsport, Pa.
"This was great", said Randy Shapiro.
"They're the best team I ever saw," added Julie, his young daughter.
The Shapiros were among several dozen fans who watched long distance on a big screen set up in the auditorium of Fairfield's Pequot Library.
"The Stop and Shop donated their entire inventory of Cracker Jacks for this," said Dan Snydacker, the library's executive director. "We love baseball and some of the boys go to school right around the corner," he added.
The game was tied 1-1 until the bottom of the 5th when Fairfield's Jack Quinn hit a two-run double to right-center field.
Nick Nardone went 5 2/3 innings in Connecticut's win, striking out 10 without walking a hitter. Eddie Magi came on for a one-pitch save after Nardone was removed because of the Little League pitch-count rules in the top of the sixth.
"I hope they go all the way," beamed Tallis Monteiro, who watched most of the game with her mother, but missed the winning runs.
This is the first time Fairfield has made it to the series. The team plays again on Sunday night.
