Hundreds gathered in Fairfield Friday for a 'Welcome Home' pep rally to celebrate the young teens returning from the Little League World Series in Williamsport.

Out of some 7,000 Little League teams in the country, Fairfield American finished third in the whole nation.

Fairfield was one step away from a trip to the United States championship game but lost to Texas Thursday night. Had they won, they would have been the first team from Connecticut to make it that far since Trumbull won it all in 1989.

This is the team's third trip to the World Series since 2010 and the furthest they've ever gone. 

Making it to the Little League World Series is still quite a feat, and the town and friends and family are all very proud of these players, who have been on the road playing games for the last three and a half weeks.

News 12's Mark Sudol reports that Matt McGuire, the president of the league, has been instrumental in this team's incredible stretch of six state championships over the last decade.

"It's all about the volunteers, the coaches, the kids doing it - as we call it - the Fairfield American way," said McGuire.