East Side Little League shines on championship stage

WILLIAMSPORT, PA(WBRE/WYOU)-- The last seven days have been a whirlwind for the twelve year old all-stars from West Chester, PA. The Mid-Atlantic Regional Champions have been on the road since capturing the title Friday, August 14th in Bristol, Connecticut.

East Side Little League Manager Bob Hennessey said, "It's awesome, and the support back home has been unbelievable. Getting messages, texts, social media posts."

East Side pitcher and outfielder Cole Warner shined in the clinching game of the Mid-Atlantic Regionals. "Seeing all the fans, and like the parents and the kids asking for all of us. It's like being a MLB player," said Warner.

The twelve year old tossed five plus innings, allowing just a single run. "They were pretty good. Just pitching to contact and trusting my defense is the key," Cole said.

Warner also scored a run in the 3 to 1 win over Delaware. Ryan Hennessy drove him in with a two RBI hit in the first inning.

"When I got in the box I was just thinking attack, attack. Then on that one-two pitch I got the fast ball right there and I just drove it up the middle," said Hennessey.

It was a pair of Ryan's that got the job done for east side. Closer Ryan Donnelly got the final out for the PA state champs, and punched the team's ticket to South Williamsport. "It was awesome. I wanted to get the last few outs and help our team get to Williamsport," said Donnelly.

East Side will hit the diamond for the first time at the Little League World Series on Friday, August 21st. The Mid-Atlantic champs take on the Metro Regional winners, out of Bayonne, New Jersey. First pitch on Friday at Lamade Stadium is at scheduled for 7:00pm.