East End Little League's 12U Baseball All-Stars Trying To Defend Title Against Stiff Competition

The East End 12-and-under baseball All-Stars looked primed and ready to defend their District 36 Tournament title after defeating Sag Harbor, 9-7, in their opening game at Hampton West Park in Westhampton on Thursday, June 22. But since then, the team has fallen on hard times, losing, 4-3, in walk-off fashion to East Hampton on Saturday before losing, 10-1, to Southampton on Monday evening.

East End, which just recently put up last year’s District 36 Championship banner behind home plate, is playing in Pool A of the tournament that ultimately leads to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. East Hampton, North Shore American, Sag Harbor and Southampton also play in the pool and the top two teams, which, as of Tuesday morning were East Hampton and Southampton, move on to the semifinals against the top two teams from Pool B. The two remaining teams meet for the district championship.

East End wraps up pool play this Thursday, June 29, against North Shore American at Hampton West Park at 5:45 p.m.

After falling behind by a run early to Sag Harbor last week, Blake Schaffer tied the game with a no doubter over the fence in right center field. Later in the game, Cayden Peters broke open the game with a base hit that drove in a run. Declan Byrnes started on the mound for East End and pitched a great game, manager Nick Palamidessi said, and Charlie Blaine closed things out with Sag Harbor threatening late.

Palamidessi said Schaffer “pitched a gem” of a game against East Hampton, which he gave credit to for scratching out the victory.

This year’s team includes Charlie Blaine, Henry Boccagno, Declan Byrne, Zachary Davin, Nolan Drake, Cole Farruggia, Alexander Fisher, Ryan Flynn, Jonah Greenwald, Matthew Palamidessi, Cayden Peters and Blake Schaffer. The team is managed by Nick Palamidessi who is assisted by Danielle Davin and Tom Farruggia.