The Holbrook 12U Little League team is relying on experience as the squad bids to win the Mid-Atlantic Regional this week in Bristol, Connecticut.
The team from Jackson opened the regional in dominating fashion on Aug. 6 when Holbrook defeated Washington, D.C., 16-6.
That victory sent Holbrook to the next round against Plainview of New York on Aug. 7.
Holbrook’s manager, Rob Grano, hopes that the results of winning a third straight state championship will be an asset. Holbrook won the state title on July 30.
“We’re battle-tested,” Grano said. “This is our third year in a row winning states. We’ve played a lot of games together. I think that’s going to help us.”
Grano also believes that the team’s pitching will be the difference this year.
“I think we have a really good chance of winning this thing,” Grano said. “If our pitching is good, then we should be fine. We play great defense. I know we’re going to hit. So if the pitching is good, then we’re a tough out. It’s going to be hard to beat us twice.”
A regional title will advance Holbrook to one of the premier events of the summer each year — the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The World Series will begin on Aug. 17.