Middleboro advances to Little League World Series
MIDDLEBORO - Talent and teamwork punched the ticket for a dozen Middleboro boys bound for the Little League World Series.
"Once they made this team, I said I have a feeling this is the year they're going to go," parent Nicole Gaudet recalled.
With a big win over Bangor Thursday, these 12-year-olds sealed the deal.
"They totally crushed it. They had home runs, great pitching, they caught good balls. Everyone hitting. They wanted to win. They had a goal and they accomplished it," Heather Murphy said.
"I don't know a child who doesn't dream about that but when it becomes a reality it's just so surreal," said Kristine Marzelli.
Peabody was the last Massachusetts team to make it to the Little League World Series back in 2009.
"1994 was the last time Middleboro made it to Williamsport so it's not the first, but it's been a quarter century plus," said league president John Cannavo.
And after the pandemic kept community apart, the town couldn't be prouder to cheer all together.
"Side by side with each other celebrating each other's child and their success. That has been really special as well to come back to," said Dana Trottier, whose son plays and husband coaches.
Their first two games are next week, starting with a game against a Tennessee team on Wednesday afternoon.