SARATOGA SPRINGS — It has been another successful summer for the Saratoga Springs Little League, with both its 11U and 12U All-Stars teams qualifying for the New York State Little League Tournament yet again.
The Saratoga Springs 12U squad made its return to states in grand fashion, allowing just nine runs total across 11 games en route to the state tournament. Head coach Chris Lansing said the team’s pitching and defense were “fantastic” on the way to states.
“We did really well. My pitching was fantastic, my defense was fantastic,” said Lansing. “We kind of struggled to hit early in a lot of games, but came on in the fourth or fifth inning.”
Lansing, who said he began coaching the team during the fall of their 10U season, said that the current group of 12U players is the first from Saratoga Springs Little League to qualify for the state tournament for three consecutive years.
“We’re actually the first Saratoga Little League team to go to states with a group at (ages) 10, 11, and 12,” Lansing said. “And in fairness, there were a couple teams a few years ago that could’ve done it, probably had a good shot, but the COVID year kind of wiped that out for them.”
He said it was “meaningful” to be able to return to states with the team.
“I’m so proud of the boys,” said Lansing. “It was really important to me to come back here, and let them soak it in that last year. … I really felt like they deserved it.”
The 12U team opened pool play of the state tournament on Monday, falling 5-2 to Massapequa. Lansing said despite the loss, he felt the team “hung in there.” The squad bounced back on Tuesday, defeating Penfield 5-3.
The Saratoga 12U team finished pool play Thursday with an 8-2 loss to East Greenbush/Castleton. Lansing said he emphasized to the team to “have fun,” noting one of his main goals was for the team to enjoy the experience.
“I really just have been preaching for them to have fun and soak it in, because this is obviously the last time they’re going to come here,” said Lansing after Monday’s game.
The Saratoga 11U team finished 5-0 in district play, defeating Mechanicville-Stillwater in the District Championship to advance to the state tournament.
While the 11U All-Stars were eliminated following an 8-2 loss to Harrison District on Sunday, head coach T.J. Jordan said the experience was ultimately a chance for the team to “enjoy the moment.”
“It’s like life,” said Jordan. “You live it one day at a time, and enjoy it, because the next day’s not guaranteed.”
Jordan said the team enjoyed their time at states, saying, “These kids are great.”
“We drew that late game the first day, so we kind of just hung out, playing cards,” Jordan said. “I enjoy spending time with them, and they love hanging with each other.”
The 11U squad earned wins over Mechanicville-Stillwater, Rotterdam-Carman, and Scotia-Glenville en route to the district title. Jordan highlighted the matchup against Scotia-Glenville, noting that Saratoga trailed 3-2 before rallying to take a 4-3 lead in the top of the sixth inning.
“We have this weird tradition where we take away on the coin flip,” said Jordan. “Win or lose, we take away. In that particular game, we were down 3-2 going into the top of the sixth. It was our last ups, we laid a bunt down and ended up coming back and winning 4-3 that game.”
The team opened its state schedule with a matchup against Penfield, falling 12-0, prior to its elimination matchup against Harrison.
While the team was unable to come away with a win, Jordan said it was “great” to be able to bring the squad back to states after coaching the Saratoga Springs 10U team to the state tournament last summer.
Lansing said the Saratoga Springs Little League program as a whole is “super strong right now.”
“I think that says a lot, and I think the program is incredibly strong,” Lansing said. “I think baseball in Saratoga is really strong right now.”
