Staten Island Little League

The Staten Island South Shore Little League team secured a spot in the Little League World Series by defeating Morristown, N.J. 5-0 in the Metro Regional final. Peter Giaccio played a key role by scoring the first run and hitting a two-run triple, while starting pitcher Stephen Grippo delivered an impressive performance, striking out seven and pitching five shutout innings despite battling an apparent hand injury. The victory marks Staten Island's first trip to the World Series since 2018, with the team holding a 17-2 record in the tournament. Earlier in the week, Staten Island showcased their resilience by overcoming a 5-3 deficit to win against East Lyme, thanks to Giaccio's game-winning single. Manager Bob Laterza praised the team's tenacity, highlighting their commitment to seizing the opportunity to compete at the highest level. The South Shore team will begin their World Series journey on August 14 in Williamsport, Pa.