WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — The New York dream of the summer lives.
South Shore Little League from Staten Island bounced back from an opening-game loss to survive two elimination games at the Little League World Series, beating Hinsdale, Ill., 4-0, Sunday at Lamade Stadium.
Staten Island broke through in what had been a scoreless game in the fourth inning and rode five shutout innings from Vincent Ruggiero to survive.
South Shore, which plays Tuesday against a team from either Texas or Florida, is two wins away from the U.S. championship game and three wins away from a spot in the Little League World Series title game.
“They don’t want to go home,” manager Bob Laterza said after his group outhit Illinois, 9-3. “They want to stay here, and they’re not leaving.”
Ruggiero, whose floppy head of hair forced his hat to fall off repeatedly after his follow-through, led the charge.
The righty let up just two hits and walked none in five innings while striking out seven.
Dean Scarangello recorded the final three outs to keep the pride of New York alive.
“They couldn’t touch him,” Laterza said of Ruggiero, who shrugged off the many trips to pick up his cap. “As long as he strikes out people, we don’t care if the hat falls off 80 times.”
Behind Ruggiero, South Shore played crisp defense, including a smooth running stop and throw from third baseman Scarangello in the third inning.
Offensively, the group needed just one big inning.
After Staten Island came up empty on a two-on threat in the third inning, Laterza sent a message to his team that “I can’t repeat,” he said.
They responded.
In the fourth, South Shore stitched together six hits to plate all four of its runs. With two on, Chase Curro — who previously tried bunting in the at-bat — grounded a single through the left side for the go-ahead run.
Alex Torres’ sacrifice fly scored a second run, and Scarangello lined a single down the right-field line to score two more.
“I just wanted to do my job,” said Scarangello, who pitched around a hit and a walk in the sixth and final inning.
South Shore ensured it would be in good spirits when it met the Yankees later in the day, sitting behind home plate to watch the team’s heroes take on the Tigers on Sunday night.
The Staten Island kids caught a glimpse of their major league dreams, but they have their eyes set on a more immediate goal.
“They love the place,” Laterza said of his team, which has taken well to Williamsport. “They might even stay after they’re done with their games.”
