Rhode Island Little League champs drop opener to New York in regional tournament

The North Kingstown/Wickford Little League team got out to a 4-0 lead in their rain-delayed regional opener Sunday night in Bristol, Conn., but the New York champs from Staten Island stormed back to hand the Rhode Island champs a 17-7 loss in the Metro Region bracket.

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Rhode Island scored in the top of the first inning, capitalizing on an error, and then scored on a wild pitch. New York struck back in the second, scoring six runs on two hits to take a 7-4 lead. New York extended the lead with two runs in the bottom of the third, then the flood gates opened, as NY scored right runs on six hits in the fifth.

Catcher Liam Berardi led Rhode Island with two RBIs. He and Cameron Amaral each collected one hit for Rhode Island, which drew 10 walks in the game. Barner and starting pitcher Chris Lannie led the team with two free passes each.

The Rhode Islanders are back in action Monday night, facing the Connecticut champs (East Lyme) in a scheduled 8 p.m. start in the double elimination tournament.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Rhode Island Little League champs fall to N.Y. in regional tournament