Westport's Bid for World Series Championship Ends with 12-1 Loss to California

By Caitlin Mazzola

Their bid for a World Series championship may be over, but the Westport Little League will always have an unbelievable summer of 2013 to remember.

From having the perfect summer through this week, to Friday's amazing rally to defeat Sammamish, Wash. 14-13 after being down 13-6, the New England champions will be welcomed home Monday as heroes.

They lost, 12-1, to Chula Vista, Calif., Saturday in the U.S. Championship game. Chula Vista will go on to play Japan in the World Series final Sunday; Westport will play Mexico to determine third place.

Matt Stone singled in the bottom of the first to drive in Max Popken for Westport's lone run. The team's starting pitcher and ace Chad Knight went five innings, striking out five while yielding four earned runs. 

No matter what happens during that game, Westport Little Leaguers proved they were some of the finest players in the country -- and the world.

Fans at home took to Twitter to share their support for the team:

@toquethall: "Congrats to all the players. Great job Westport....made the town, state and region proud. Repped New England well w/ hearts of champions!"

@BrianReich: "Tough game today... but certainly proud of the kids from Westport."

@LevittWestport: @WestportLL you are our #boysofsummer and the champions of our hearts! We could not be prouder of you!#llws #westport #standingovation!

Westport will face Mexico in Sunday's consolation game at 11 a.m. at Lamade Stadium.