Holbrook Little League of Jackson ends World Series run with 12-2 loss
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa — The Holbrook Little League team from Jackson's World Series journey came to an end on Wednesday with a 12-2 loss to the New England team from Fairfield, Conn.
It was Holbrook's second loss to Fairfield in the World Series tournament bringing their run to the Pennsylvania tournament to an end.
"Thank you boys and coaches for an incredible summer! One that Holbrook and Jackson and all of New Jersey will never forget," parents wrote on the team's Facebook page.
New England started the game with a 5-run first inning and never looked back. They built their lead with another four runs in the fourth, and three in the bottom of the 5th to invoke the 10-run mercy rule.
Holbrook was held to just four hits and made three errors. Fairfield's Ethan Righter shut down the "Jackson 13," which hit 7 home runs in the tournament. Righter allowed two runs and struck out 8 over 4 2/3 innings. Fairfield's Troy Ashkinos drove in five runs on two hits, including a grand slam in the fourth.
"It was an amazing run for the first-ever team from Jackson Township to reach the LLWS comes to an end. Under Manager Rob Grano the “Jackson 13” had an incredible summer and three amazing years where they won the state championship, an accomplishment we might not see for many years to come," Kevin Williams of the Shore Sports Network said.
Jeff Frazier, a member of the 1995 Toms River East team that went to the World Series was in Williamsport said team should remember they have nothing to be ashamed of and they were part of something few people experience.
"They'll have more than enough memories from this summer to last them. People will talk about this for years. The memories will be fresh and will be something to put on their resumes...their heads should be held up high. They played their guts out all summer," Frazier said.
Going into the game, which has been postponed by rain Tuesday night, the New Jersey state champions were the 4th best team from the United States left in the tournament. They were also one of the 8 best teams from over 7,000 Little Leagues in the world who started All-Star tournament play in June.
Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com