Darien Little League heads to Metro Region Tournament with LLWS berth on the line
The boys will play New Jersey in the first round on Saturday night.
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It's every young slugger's dream.
After capturing the state title for the first time in over 60 years, Darien Little League is just a few wins away from playing in the Little League World Series.
"No team in Darien has done this since 1961," interim manager Joe Paccione says. "We're hoping for a trip to Williamsport."
The team will have to get through the Metro Region Tournament first, which begins this weekend in Bristol.
"Teamwork, connection, making sure we trust each other," team captain Hugh Butler says, "and putting the ball in play hoping for the best."
Last summer, Fairfield National took the sports world by storm, finishing third in the world in the Little League World Series.
Paccione says Darien is drawing inspiration from last year's Fairfield team.
"We've reached out to some of those parents, and we've talked to some of those coaches," Paccione says. "We're drawing a lot from what those guys did last year, and we're trying to replicate it to represent Fairfield County as best we can."
The community is hoping Darien can keep this magical run going.
"I'm kind of known for praying the rosary in the outfield, and I light candles for the boys at church every single game day," team mom Katherine MacLane says. "I'm going to cry... they're just special boys."
Darien leaves for the Metro Region Tournament on Friday morning.
The boys will play New Jersey in the first round on Saturday night.
"We always have more fans than the other team," Paccione says. "I think it's going to be the same in Bristol on Saturday."
