Fairfield National finishes strong with third place at LLWS as community rallies
The Fairfield, Connecticut, Little League team capped a stellar run by taking third place in the Little League World Series, beating Aruba 4-2 in the consolation game. As Metro Region champions, Fairfield dominated their opponents in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, outscoring foes 25-6 on their way to the U.S. championship weekend, including a convincing win over Las Vegas midweek before Saturday’s setback.
In the U.S. championship game, Fairfield’s Luca Pellegrini battled early adversity. The standout pitcher and leadoff star found the strike zone hard to locate in the first inning, throwing 34 pitches and allowing three runs as Las Vegas seized the momentum.
Las Vegas rode Garrett Gallegos to the win, with Gallegos delivering eight strikeouts and even launching a home run. The Mountain Region champions pushed ahead 8-2 and earned a spot to face Taiwan, the international champions, in the LLWS title game.
After the game, Fairfield manager Brian Palazzolo expressed appreciation for the traveling fans and noted the sting of the loss would be tempered by pride in the team’s performance. “I hope we represented the Metro Region well. This one’s going to sting for a while, but our boys are resilient. They’ll bounce back. It was such an incredible summer,” he said.
Parents and supporters echoed the sentiment, celebrating the kids’ effort and the national attention they drew. Kristin Duffy Gryga, a team parent, praised the players’ hard work and determination, while Yanni Taxiltaridis, another parent, noted that the achievement fulfilled a longtime dream for the 12-year-olds and brought a new level of pride to Fairfield. Fairfield Little League President Diego Da Lan added that the town hasn’t experienced a buzz like this in some time.
Back home, fans packed venues across Fairfield for watch parties, including Elicit Brewing, cheering every moment of the team’s journey. The club is planning a parade to honor the team, set for Monday at 5:30 p.m. The celebration will begin on Post Road in front of Dairy Queen and end at Sherman Green, with food, music, a dunk tank and more festivities planned.
The journey featured notable moments from Fairfield’s roster, including contributions from players such as SJ Taxiltaridis, Ben Herbst and Charlie McCullough, who celebrated key outs and pivotal plays during the run.
What’s next for Fairfield? The team will return home with its 12-year-old stars honored for delivering a run that captured national attention and united a community. The LLWS experience is expected to inspire local youth sports participation and remind Fairfield of the power of teamwork, perseverance, and hometown pride.
Key takeaways
– Fairfield National finishes third in the LLWS after a 4-2 win over Aruba in the consolation game.
– They outscored opponents 25-6 across the tournament run.
– A setback in the U.S. championship game ended Fairfield’s bid for the title, but the team’s impact and spirit remain strong.
– A town-wide parade is planned for Monday evening to celebrate the players, families, and supporters who traveled to Williamsport.
Additional note: The community emphasis on resilience and coming together around these young athletes highlights how youth sports can unite a town and provide lasting memories for players and families alike.