The St. James‑Smithtown Little League 12 under team has won the 2025 New York State Little League Championship.
The victory is the first state title for the community and it took a comeback to complete the outstanding accomplishment.
The team was down early 2-0 against South Shore Little League of Staten Island. After those two early runs the pitching and defense clamped down in a big way and didn't allow another run to cross the plate. The offense also got going and put up 6 runs in the 4th inning for a 7-2 final.
Manager Scott Santelli’s team was led by Jeremy Katz, who hit a solo home run to cut the lead down early in the game and then he took another pitched deep in his next at bat for a two run shot, his second home run of the day. Katz is no stranger to hitting the long ball as he won the New York State Little League Home Run Derby earlier this season.
The win was extra sweet as they lost to this same South Shore team 8-2 in pool play, but they never gave up hope and were able to avenge that loss. They have been the underdogs before, even the game to get here they proved doubters wrong and won a brilliantly pitched game 2-0 over White Plains in the semifinal at Great Kills LL. White Plains had not lost a game all season.
Starting pitcher Kevin Moran threw a complete-game shutout, striking out eight in that performance.
St. James‑Smithtown is now heading to the Metro Regional Tournament in Bristol, Connecticut. Play will begin this weekend as they look to continue their journey to the Little League World Series in Williamsport.