CRANSTON — It was a ceremonial send-off fitting of royalty.
That’s Rhode Island softball royalty — and New England — and hopefully the world. The Cranston Western Little League softball all-stars board their flight down to the World Series this week in hopes of continuing a summer of dominance.
A 9 a.m. flight out of T.F. Green Airport on Wednesday will carry the transcendent group of 11- and 12-year-old girls to Greenville, N.C., where the world’s best will meet in the 50 th playing of the Little League Softball World Series.
Cranston Western is one of a dozen teams to reach this point of the summer — Rhode Island’s bracket includes the Philippines, Italy, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Arizona.
They await the winner of the West Region vs. Mid-Atlantic Region for their opening game on Aug. 5. The team that’s caught Rhode Island’s heart gathered at Cranston’s Thirsty Beaver Pub on Tuesday for final parting words and a fundraising opportunity.
“They're just excited to see it when they get there and when they get to the plane,” Cranston Western manager Lalo Marcano said. “All the stuff that the World Series has to offer, they’re excited for all of that. This is the first time they've ever experienced something like this.”
Cranston Western eased to the Rhode Island state title and a pair of regional wins against Connecticut and Maine in Bristol, Conn. Their first sign of trouble this summer came against Massachusetts in the New England semifinals . But a four-run bottom of the fifth and three scoreless innings from Isabella Marcano had Rhode Island in the finals.
Rhode Island never trailed in the championship matchup against Connecticut and raised the New England banner with a 6-3 effort on ESPN. That booked their World Series’ tickets as media appearances became a regularity for the young stars.
“I didn't know that this many people would know about it, but I guess it's a really big deal,” Hailee Stinson said of going to the World Series.
“I also didn't know that we had this many supporters and people who watch us,” Audriana Garcia said.
Those supporters span softball generations. The 1979 North Providence West Little League team that captured New England’s only softball title has held a close eye on the hopefuls.
“They’re just in store for a tremendous and great time,” Richard Palumbo, manager of the 1979 team, said in a phone interview on Tuesday. “Have a fantastic time off the field and on the field, just stick together.”
The Cranston Western team can hit — they averaged nine runs per game at regionals — and Marcano, along with Olivia Graziano, own the circle. The defense behind the pair limits errors as Rhode Island has all the makings for a title run in Greenville.
“They're pretty good and they know what they're doing,” Lalo Marcano said. “They know how to play the game, so on that end, I'm not worried at all.”
“We just have to really work as a team and have a good mindset and do what we do,” Alexa Okolowitcz said. “And everyone needs to hit and work as a team.
“This has been the best summer ever — it's way better than any normal summer.”
jrousseau@providencejournal.com
On X: @ByJacobRousseau
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Little League softball champs from Cranston get royal sendoff to World Series in NC
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