Fairfield National 12U All-Stars Capture Third Straight State Title, Ready for Metro Regional

Fairfield, CT — The Fairfield National 12U All-Stars have cemented their place in Connecticut baseball history. With a dominant 10‑0 win over East Lyme on July 26, the team clinched its third consecutive state championship — completing a rare and remarkable three-peat at the 10U, 11U, and 12U levels.

Leading the charge on the mound was pitcher SJ Taxiltaridis, who threw a commanding one-hit shutout. He capped off the performance with a highlight-reel diving throw to first base for the final out. On the offensive side, Colin Curley delivered the game’s biggest blow — a walk-off grand slam — part of his six-RBI day that sealed the mercy-rule win.

The victory adds another chapter to a historic run that began two summers ago. In 2022, the team captured the 10U title, followed by the 11U crown in 2023, and now a 12U championship in 2024 — an achievement that has never before been accomplished by a team in Fairfield National’s history.

Manager Brian Palazzolo attributes the success to the players’ chemistry and relentless drive:

“They really enjoy being around each other. I have a hard time getting them off the field because they always want one more inning.”

With the state title in hand, Fairfield advances to the Metro Regional in Bristol, where they will face New Jersey on Saturday, August 2 at 4 p.m. A win at regionals would punch their ticket to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania — the pinnacle of youth baseball.

“We’ve worked all year for this,” said Luca Pellegrini. “To go to Bristol and represent Fairfield — it’s a dream come true.”

A Legacy of Dominance in State Play

Beyond the trophies, this Fairfield National team has built a statistical legacy that may never be matched. Over their three-year run, the team posted a perfect 40-0 record, scoring 369 runs while allowing just 43 — a testament to their all-around dominance. Their offensive production has been staggering:

• 25 home runs

• 404 total hits

• .387 team batting average

Meanwhile, their opponents struggled to keep pace, managing only 108 hits and a .143 batting average, with just a single home run allowed across all games.

As they head to Bristol, they carry the hopes of their town, a perfect record, and a chance to take the next step toward Little League immortality.

While it’s a first for the league at the 12U level, this group is no stranger to success on the regional stage. These same players won regional titles at both 10U and 11U, and now they’ll look to carry that experience into Bristol and a chance to take the next step toward Little League immortality.

They open play against New Jersey on Saturday, August 2 at 4 p.m., with a chance to take the final step toward Williamsport and the Little League World Series.

The Fairfield National 12U All-Star team is: Luca Pellegrini, SJ Taxiltaridis, Tommy D’Amura, Jimmy Taxiltaridis, Dante Madera, Ben Herbst, Boden Dunlap, Colin Curley, Joe Sorrentino, Brian Palazzolo, Charlie McCullough, and Logan Gryga