With a team that included Mathew McCabe, Oren Elasbat, Jack Nichols, Edwin Dejesus, Jaime Colon and Julian Perez, Stop & Shop defeated Houlihans 8-3 in the best-of-three series to win the Major Division Little League Championship. Stop & Shop, managed by Bob Deczynski, was 10-5 on the season. Houlihans, managed by Tom Kessler, was 5-10-1 on the season, as both teams entered with the same 3-1 playoff record.
Brad Deczynski, the starting pitcher for Stop & Shop, struck out ten batters, allowed one run on two hits in four innings, and contributed two hits in the game. Ryan Griffin and Nick Rodriguez also supported the team with three hits apiece, and Rodriguez closed out the last two innings of the game. Aiden Milachouski and Adam Deczynski also contributed two hits each for Stop & Shop, and Olivia Torres added an RBI single and walked twice.
T.J.Wolf and Randy Leonardo handled the pitching for Houlihans, and both also recorded hits for the offense.
WE ARE CHAMPIONS – Pictures front row from left are Aiden Milachouski, Jamie Colon, Olivia Torres, Adam Deczynski and Jack Nichols; middle row from left Brad Deczynski, Ryan Griffin, Nicholas Rodriguez, Mathew McCabe, Oren Elasbat and Edwin Dejesus; and top row from left are coaches Frank Rodriguez, Richie Torres, Eddy Milachouski, and manager Bob Deczynski. Not pictured are coach Joe Malinconico and player Julian Perez.