Freehold Little League loses first game, could still get to World Series

The Freehold Little League All-Stars lost their first game in the mid-Atlantic Regionals in Bristol, Connecticut 8-6 to New York/Maine Endwell on Sunday but remain alive in their quest to make the Little League World Series.

Both teams took turns taking the lead four times but in the end the New York state champions took the lead for good in the fifth inning. "We were six outs away but it got a little away from us but we played a really great game," manager Jeff Gorman said of the loss by the New Jersey state champions.."It was just the wrong ball in the wrong place and a couple of bad luck things that happened."

Gorman's son Zach pitched four strong innings and left the game after reaching his maximum pitch count. Jonathan Olik hit a home run and Drew Montgomery had two doubles.

Freehold will play again on Tuesday against the loser of Monday's game between Washington D.C and the Pennsylvania state champs from Clinton County. Freehold could face Endwell for the mid-Atlantic championship and Gorman told his team to show a strong face.

"When we come back up through the losers bracket this team is going to be very afraid to be playing us in the championship game," Gorman said.

Gorman said the team could feel the support of Freehold from three hours away.

"The fans were incredible supportive. We're getting all kinds of texts and phone calls. We're shaking this one off and we're moving forward," he said. "I always tell the boys and our parents nothing but life lessons through sports. The measure of greatness is when you're down. We're down just a little bit but we're going to come back."

The team arrived in Bristol on Saturday and has been swimming and playing "and having a blast," Gorman said. The team will tour the ESPN studios on Monday and have a team dinner.