Par-Troy  Little League East made a winning start Friday in its quest to become Little League’s Mid Atlantic Champion in Bristol, Conn.  Parsippany's 11/12 All-Stars bested New York state’s Stoney Point Little League, 4-2.

The matchup may be a preview of the eventual championship game as the teams are similar: Par-Troy won the New Jersey 11/12 championship last year and took the 12u Tuesday. Stoney Point is also highly rated, having won the New York titles in 2011 and 2012.

But Friday, it was Par-Troy East that came out on top. The team held a 4-0 lead through the top of the sixth inning, when an error led to two Stoney Point scoring runs. A pitching save by David Ton and the team's strong offense kept the New York team from gaining any additional traction, giving the Parsippany team the win.

The All-Stars will play three more games over the next week in a pool play format with 11/12 teams from New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and the District of Columbia.  The four teams with the best records will then play for the championship in single-elimination games next Friday, with the champion crowned next Sunday.

Scores of Par-Troy East players and fans are expected to make the journey to Bristol this weekend in support of the team.

Par-Troy East next faces Pennsylvania on Saturday at 5 p.m. On Monday, the team battles the District of Columbia at 11 a.m. followed by Maryland on Wednesday at 11 a.m. 

Manager Mike Ruggiero arrived in Bristol with the team Thursday.

The opportunity to play in the national regional tournament has been the dream of these Parsippany kids since they began playing together as 8-year-olds.  The team will spend the entire week at the East Region facilities in Bristol. 

Representing Par Troy East are:

Benner  Uygun  -  Shortstop, Outfield, Pitcher
Anthony Scannelli - Catcher
Vinny Prezioso– 1^st Base
Daniel Ruggiero -2^nd Base,  Pitcher
Emil Matti – Shortstop,  Pitcher
David Ton  - 3^rd Base,  pitcher
Sarang Amin – Outfield, Pitcher
Steven Scevoli – Outfield
Kyle Phillips  –Outfield, Pitcher
D.J.  Pico - Outfield
Alex Cavaluzzo – Outfield
Manager Mike Ruggiero
Coaches Ramon Matti and Ed Phillips

-- Eric Hubner