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AUBURN, Mass. – The Auburn Senior League All-Stars returned from the World Series in style Saturday, with a police and fire escort that brought them to their parents and fans.
Police and fire trucks met the team when it got off Interstate 290, and the team’s bus was escorted to Lemansky Park, where more than 100 people were waiting to congratulate the players.
The 15- and 16-year-olds from Auburn came back from a journey that they will never forget. In late July, the squad defeated Tewksbury, 8-2 and 13-1, to win the Massachusetts State Championship. From Aug. 3-8, Auburn won all five games in the New Jersey Eastern Regional Tournament, becoming the first New England team to win that tourney.
With that victory, Auburn earned a trip to its first World Series in Bangor, Maine. Ten teams from around the world make the World Series. Auburn played Michigan, Maine, Guatemala and Montreal, going 2-2 in the tournament.
Auburn didn’t bring back a World Series trophy Saturday, but Little League President Steve Jette wanted to recognize the team with a welcome home greeting after accomplishing so much.
“We’re the best team ever from Auburn, from Massachusetts and from New England,” said Manager Dalton Goodrich. “No team has ever made it to the (Senior League) World Series from New England, so it’s quite the accomplishment to get here.”
State Sen. Michael Moore (D-Millbury) couldn’t attend the homecoming, but congratulated the team in an emailed statement.
“As a former Little League player myself, I have profound respect and admiration for the kids as well as the coaches and parents,” Moore said. “Being a part of Little League is all about fun for the kids, but it’s also a lot of hard work. And, as you can see from the homecoming for Auburn’s Little League, it not only gives kids and their parents a wonderful experience, but it also has the power to bring an entire community together.”
The town is not done recognizing the team. It will be honored Aug. 23 at the final Summer in the Park Concert Series event at the Pappas Recreation Complex. The concert begins at 6 p.m., with Christine Taylor presenting Broadway favorites with Auburn community players.
The team's 13 players are Ryan Angelico, Lincoln Bois, Joshua Boucher, Tyler Desjardins, Joseph Fahey, Drew Goodrich, Matt Kapulka, Ryan Kozlowski, Tyler Lamonda, Ryan Mulcahy, Matthew Nelson, Kyle Quitadamo and DJ Scavone. Coaches are Rich Kapulka and Dan Scavone.
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