Toms River East Little League Advances To Metro Region Final

BRISTOL, CT — The Toms River East Little League All-Stars have advanced to the Metro Region championship game after beating Connecticut on Wednesday night.

The victory earns them a rematch with the New York state champion, Massapequa Little League, with a trip to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, on the line. The game is set for 7 p.m. Friday, and is to be televised on ESPN.

New York defeated Toms River East 6-3 on Saturday in the teams' opener in the tournament. Toms River East bounced back with a 3-2 victory over Rhode Island, fending off a fierce rally by the Cumberland Little League.

On Wednesday, Toms River East took a 2-0 lead over Fairfield Little League, the Connecticut champion, in the bottom of the first inning. Michael Mendes singled to start the inning, and then Logan Macchia smacked a two-run home run to center field, driving in Mendes.

Connecticut drew to 2-1 in the top of the third inning when Drew Kane hit a 2-1 pitch over the center-field fence, but Macchia didn't allow another baserunner in closing out the inning.

Toms River East added a run in the bottom of the third inning, after Mendes reached base safely on an error. Mendes advanced to second on a single by Brady Gillen, then reached third base on a ground ball by Jayce Cappiello. Mendes then scored on a wild pitch while Macchia was batting.

Toms River East halted a two-out rally in the top of the sixth, catching a Connecticut runner attempting to steal for the final out.

Macchia finished with six strikeouts in addition to the home run.