AUBURN — The 2024 Senior League East Region Tournament kicks off this week in Bangor, Maine, and for third consecutive summer, Auburn's Senior Little League All-Stars will be in the thick of things, hustling and making the big plays. And, of course, sticking to the total team approach each game.
Auburn, which defeated Swansea for the state championship July 7, plays New Jersey at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Maine District 3/Bangor East/West Little League's Shawn T. Mansfield Stadium. The tournament has a double-elimination format.
Auburn went 1-2 in last year's East Regional, defeating Connecticut and losing to Pennsylvania and New York.
"We're looking forward to this year's tournament — the kids have been working hard, and they're having as good time," first-year Auburn manager Matt Morrow said. "We're taking back eight of the players that played with us last year. They've got a year of understanding and experience under their belt. Any butterflies from last year are gone. We'll go up there with confidence and, hopefully, win a few games."
The East Region Tournament has eight state championship teams, hailing from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York.
Auburn has enjoyed a thrill-filled ride during its quest for a return to the East Regional. After capturing the District 5 Senior Division Little League title, Auburn advanced to the state tournament and competed in pool play against several standout championship teams, including Worcester's District 4 Lou Gehrig Little League, District 13's North Reading Little League and Swansea Little League, which competes in District 6. Auburn went 2-1 in the tournament, the loss coming against Gehrig. Auburn bounced back from its loss to claim the championship over Swansea.
"The championship game was a good game — we were the away team, and it was 2-2 going into the top of the seventh," said Morrow, an assistant coach on last year's Auburn team. "We scored a couple of runs in the top of the inning to make it 4-2. Our pitcher closed them out in the bottom of the inning, and we had the win."
Auburn gets by with effective pitching, headlined by Bryce Everson.
Everson noted that pitching for Auburn is easy, thanks to a hard-hitting offense, plus effective and efficient up-the middle defense. Auburn also has depth, so that if one player slips, another fills the void. The depth is enhanced by a strong support system.
Owen Morrow, a 16-year-old catcher/first baseman who plays varsity baseball at Auburn High, is in the middle of it all. He has a good take on the Senior Little League team and what must be done to win at the East Regional. Owen Morrow also understands his strengths.
"My primary thing to do is hit — I've always loved hitting, always been a hitter," Owen Morrow said. "But it's more than me. This is a group of guys who've been playing together since we were all little kids. Now we're here, the last year of Senior Little League for most of us. And this is what we've been waiting for. We're older, we're stronger, we're better.
"The whole summer has been very exciting," he added. "Last year was fun, even though we lost. We learned a lot, we won a game, and we represented Auburn, Massachusetts. To go for a second time is a dream come true."
Everson, a member of last year's Auburn Senior Little League team, enjoyed a standout season on the Auburn High varsity baseball team this spring. He is happy to report that his spring success has spilled over into the summer.
"This year was my first on varsity, but I had a really great season," said Everson, who will be a junior in the fall.
"Things are still going well for me. I'm more off-speed location wise. My speed is there, but I need to work on that. I'm improving each day and I'm willing to work hard. It's all fun, too.
"This team will be ready when the East Region Tournament starts — we look forward to it, and the guys want to win," Everson added.
Center fielder Stephen Wiltshire, a multi-sport athlete at Millbury High, didn't play for Auburn last year. Though a new player on the team, Wiltshire believes that he has fit in nicely. And he likes what he's seen.
"We're deep and we have a ton of great hitters," Wiltshire said. "We've got people here hitting 7-8-9 who would probably be 1-2-3 on other teams. It's a great group. The kids from Millbury have fit right in. And we all know each other."
Wiltshire enjoys flagging down fly balls in center field. Throwing out base runners is cool, too.
"I love being out in the outfield, having tons of room to run and make cool catches," Wiltshire said. "My arm is strong, so it's fun to chuck the ball in and get people out at home. Baseball is the best. It's such a team sport. One person quite obviously can't win the whole thing. There are other things, too, like being mentally tough.
"I look forward to going to Bangor — heard it's pretty cool up there," Wiltshire added.
Auburn's other contributors include Rex Vartabedian, Jayden Ortiz, Dominic Freitas, Patrick Saucier, Joe Ricardi, Liam Doyle, Owen Sens, Matt Friedland, Dylan Diosomito, Ty Goodrich, Cam Patraitis, Luke Martin and Chase Reyes. Matt Morrow is assisted by Matt Martin and Bryan Everson.
Optimism prevails throughout the lineup.
"We're looking to do some damage in Bangor this year," Owen Morrow said.
—Contact Craig Holt at sports@telegram.com.
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