Massapequa Coast falls to Hawaii in first Little League World Series game
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MASSAPEQUA, N.Y. -- There was disappointment on the diamond in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, as the Massapequa Coast played its first game Friday night in the Little League World Series.
The Coast took the field for its opening game and faced a tough team from Hawaii. They ended up losing 12-0.
The two teams face off again Sunday.
This is Massapequa's first time going to the Little League World Series in their 72-year history.
The Coast advanced to the World Series after beating Toms River East 4-0 in the Metro Region Championship Game in Bristol, Connecticut.
Massapequa Coast loses opening Little League World Series game
The Little League World Series is underway in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, but it wasn't a good night for the Massapequa Coast.
The Honolulu Little League beat the Coast 12-0.
Family, friends and fans of the Coast held a watch party at Burns Park. They were pulling for the hometown champs, the first Long Island team to play in the Little League World Series in over 40 years.
Despite Friday night's outcome, fans are proud of their team.
"They worked so hard to get here. I mean, they breathe, sleep and eat baseball for the past months nonstop, so it's hard," fan David Rosen said.
"It's incredible, this crowd's amazing, all the support. I'm very happy that all these people are here. That's all that matters, the support, the love, everything else. It's all motivational for them," fan Jessica Lazio said.
The Coast are not out of the tournament yet, but they need to win Sunday to keep their dreams alive.
Hawaii off to strong start at Little League World Series
A packed Lamade Stadium, a national TV audience and an opposing pitcher who tossed a no-hitter in a regional final.
That would trouble a lot of teams of 10- to 12-year-olds, but not Hawaii.
Kekoa Payanal drove the third pitch over the fence in left, and Hawaii was on its way once again.
Hawaii has won its first two games at the Little League World Series by a combined score of 23-1. That's 11-1 over Northwest, and 12-0 over Metro — specifically Massapequa Coast from Long Island — on Friday. The club from Honolulu hasn't even played a full game yet, having mercy-ruled each of its opponents after the fifth inning.
On Friday, Kekoa hit two of his team's four home runs.
"I have this routine,″ Kekoa said. "Basically you take a deep breath and stare at your bat to focus. That's what works for me."
It's not just hitting, too. Hawaii has dominated on defense as well, allowing only one hit, and remaining errorless in the field.
It's more of the same for a Hawaii team that has been one of the best American Little League teams over the last several years. This Honolulu squad won the tournament in 2018, and the 2021 team placed third — having to stay in a COVID-19 bubble through regionals and the LLWS.
Keith Oda, the team's interim manager while his brother, Gerald Oda, recovers from COVID-19, said the team works on hitting anywhere from an hour and a half to two hours each day.
"First at-bat we need to attack," Oda said. "Don't let them breathe, put them on their heels early."
On the mound, Jaron Lancaster and Cohen Sakamoto combined to no-hit the team from Long Island. Lancaster, sporting a blonde Mohawk, struck out seven of the 11 batters he faced in three innings.
Both Lancaster and Cohen are eligible under Little League pitch limit rules to play Monday when Hawaii faces Texas.
The combined no-hitter was true to the team's motto "We Me," or "we is greater than me."
"What we pound in the heads of these kids is that it's not about you, it's about the team,″ Oda said. "Whatever it takes for the team to do well. Even if you aren't starting, be the best cheerleader to your fullest for the team."
Esaiah Wong wasn't in the starting lineup Friday night, but followed what he had been taught. Esaiah said he got so excited for Kekoa's first-inning homer he almost fell over on his way out of the dugout. Wong eventually got to hit in the fifth, and he belted a three-run homer.
"I was so pumped when (Kekoa) hit that home run, and I was so ready to get in the game,″ he said. "And when I got called up, I just had to clutch it up and help the team in any way."
It may be hard for Esaiah to wait through the weekend for another chance to play but Oda expects them to be ready.
"We tell them to attack every pitch and they work hard at it," Oda said. "Their hard work shows up in the games."
Massapequa fans gearing up to cheer on hometown team
CBS2's Andrea Grymes was there as the Massapequa community geared up Friday afternoon for a watch party at Burns Park to cheer on their hometown team, one of just 10 United States teams in the Little League World Series.
From the famous All American Hamburger Drive In to Sal's Meat Market, Massapequa Coast Little League pride was on full display with Massapequa residents and businesses cheering on the first Long Island team to make it to the World Series since the '70s.
"Pretty exciting for the kids and exciting for the neighborhood. It really put Massapequa on the map, so to speak," Massapequa resident Ed Cannon said.
"Everybody's excited. Well-deserved," Massapequa resident Jane Whearty said.
Last week, in a nationally televised game, Massapequa Coast beat Toms River, punching their ticket to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where the World Series takes place.
The 12-year-old boys have traded in their blue-and-gold uniforms for orange-and-black, now representing the Metro region on the world stage.
"We're thrilled to be here. This is like a dream come true for a lot of kids," Massapequa Coast assistant coach Brian Bekiers said.
A dream for the kids and the adults, says Bekiers. He credits the team's chemistry for getting them this far.
"Parents are freaking out. I got some butterflies. These kids are gonna play in front of 20,000 people today and you wouldn't even know it. They just wanna play baseball," he said.
Back at home, fans are hoping they go all the way.
Once Bitten Donuts in Massapequa Park is selling special orange-and-black donuts in honor of the team.
"It is great. The whole community is really coming out to celebrate these kids. They're doing an awesome job," employee Catherine Logozzo said.
"It's amazing how a group of 12-year-olds playing baseball can just bring so many people together," Bekiers said.
They take on Hawaii starting at 7 p.m. Double elimination -- 10 U.S. teams and 10 international teams. The winner of the U.S. championship will play the international winner for the big title.
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The Metro Region Championship Game was held in Bristol, Connecticut, on Aug. 12 with Massapequa Coast taking on Toms River East, ending with a 4-0 victory.