It’s been a longtime since East Boston Little League (EBBL) won a District 9 Championship but the drought came to end Monday night at Festa Field in East Boston.
Led by coaches Joe Serpa and Frank DiNublia and playing behind shutout pitching by Frank Serpa EBLL eliminated Hill House 2-0 Monday night.
Serpa struck out the side in the bottom of 6th for the victory and the team piled on top of each other between the mound and home plate as parents and fans cheered.
Serpa was lights out throughout the game and pitched a 1-hit complete game. He ended the game with 11 strikeouts.
Eastie won the first game against Hill House last week 5-1 at Festa Field and Monday night’s win allows them to advance to the sectionals against Medford on Wednesday night in Medford.
It’s been 10 years since Eastie won a District Championship, the last being in 2003. Previous District Championships occurred for EBLL in ‘82, ‘83, and ‘87.
The team that won Monday night started playing together since the age of 8. Although they have added a few new faces along the way, the core of the team remained the same. Every year they would compete in the Mayors Cup and Jimmy Fund Tournaments.
In 2010 as 9 year olds they lost in the Jimmy Fund Finals to a team of 10 year olds from Charlestown. In 2011 they won the Jimmy Fund Championship going undefeated. Back then many EBLL were looking forward to 2013 knowing that that they would be serious contenders for the District Title at the age of 12.
The 2013 District 9 Champions are; Euddy Britto, Justin Capo, Anthony Ceceres, Josue Diaz, Humberto Diaz, Antonio Gerardi, Billy Henderson, Anthony Nastari, Derek
O’Brien, Chris Peguero, Frank Serpa, Nicolo Sullo, Nasja Taylor and Joey Trovelle.
The team’s Manager is Rich Voto.