Port Washington Little League gets Long Island send-off before heading to Metro Region tournament
The Port Washington 12U Little League baseball team is honored during a send-off ceremony at Lions Field in Port Washington on Thursday. Credit: Jeff Bachner
Last week, the Port Washington 12U Little League baseball team became the first team to win a New York state championship in the town’s history.
On Thursday, it was time to celebrate.
As the team prepares for the Metro Region tournament, Port Washington Youth Activities hosted a send-off event at Lions Field.
“Up until last Friday night, we’ve developed our program to win its fair share of districts and sectionals and compete in state tournaments,” league president Eric Trenaman said. “But last week, under the lights, a group of kids, a group of parents and the community watched this team take home a New York state title in West Nyack.”
On July 31, Port Washington defeated Mid Island (Staten Island), 11-5, to take home the state title. Now it will take on Rhode Island representative Lincoln Little League in the Metro Region tournament at 4 p.m. Saturday in Bristol, Connecticut.
The tournament is a four-team double-elimination bracket with representatives competing from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Rhode Island.
On Thursday, friends, family and community gathered to support Port Washington’s journey to a potential berth in the Little League World Series, which begins Aug. 19 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Manager Dave Gabriel said seeing so much community support for his team feels surreal and that it’s extra-special to be part of it with his son, Michael.
“This is such a great experience to share with the families and with my team,” he said. “Sharing it with my son and my own family is the best part. Everybody is out here supporting, they’ve got the signs out and it’s just been great.”
Michael Gabriel said the moment he and his team became state champions was unforgettable.
“I threw my glove and I was really excited,” he said. “In the moment, it didn’t feel real. I realized that we’re going to represent all of New York, and it was kind of crazy.”
Shortstop Brandon Kien made that moment possible for Port Washington, recording the final out to close the door on Mid Island. He’s still relishing the moment.
“I actually caught the last ball of that game, which was so insane,” Kien said. “Once I caught it, I just threw the ball up and jumped. I was so excited. I couldn’t believe that we actually won and we’re going to be on TV at regionals.”
Port Washington’s defense shined throughout the state tournament, and Luca Theoharis said it has continued to be a big focus during practice this week. Theoharis said the team has been honing in on its hitting and coverages.
“We’ve been working on getting prepared for different speeds and different pitches,” he said. “And we’ve been doing a lot of [infield and outfield] work with our defense and working on bunt coverages.”
Theoharis’s brother Drew was named the state tournament’s most outstanding player for a big hitting performance — including two home runs — and his impressive pitching.
“We really felt all this weight come off our shoulders while realizing that all the work we’ve been putting in has finally paid off,” he said. “Being the first team from our town to ever win states was amazing and it’s really cool to wear ‘Port Washington’ across our chests.”
Tess Ferguson is a reporter on Newsday's high school sports staff. She joined the team after graduating with a journalism degree from Ithaca College in 2025.
Long Island's Own
