Full-Blown 'Parsippany Pride' On Display At Little League World Series

PARSIPPANY, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A Tri-State Area Little League team continued an exciting ride on Friday.

The kids of Parsippany are playing in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., CBS 2's Otis Livingston reported. Despite a 5-2 loss to the team from San Antonio, Texas on Friday, "Parsippany pride" was on full display on the national stage.

Earlier in the morning, 132 eager supporters took the day off for a trip from the Garden State to the Keystone State to go root for their favorite baseball players in person.

Three jam-packed buses left Parsippany at 10 a.m. for the a 2-and-half-hour pilgrimage to Williamsport to join the boys on their journey, which they hope ends with a LLWS title.

"It's amazing; it's amazing. It just, you know, brings tears to your eyes thinking about it. We just wish them all the best. We're so happy for them," resident Rosanne Jannarone said.

The pride was on full display -- the team's motto: "One team, one goal," and it's bringing the whole town together.

"We're all excited. Parsippany is excited. I grew up in town. I've been here since I was a baby. To see this happen for Parsippany … we have a logo: Pride in Parsippany. And these kids are representing Parsippany so well," Mayor James R. Barberio said.

"I'm extremely proud to walk into any local business right now. I walked into my gym at 5:30 this morning and there are signs everywhere. The entire community is like freaking out and excited; the kids are excited and everybody … It's a great day. It's a great day for this entire town," resident Debbie Adkins added.

There were plenty of smiling faces Friday, but Parsippany has been through a lot in the past year, including getting hit hard by the effects of Hurricane Irene last August. Emil Matti, the pitcher who was on the mound when Parsippany-Troy Hills East clinched its spot in the LLWS, lost his home as a result.

But what a difference a year has made.

"It's fantastic. You know, I think about a year ago the Mattis lost their house and now their house is being rebuilt and they're in Williamsport. It's fantastic," resident Laura Quinn said.

"Even though we had that devastation last year, we stood together as one big entire community, one big entire neighborhood, one big entire family. And that's what these boys represent," Mayor Barberio added.

With its loss on Friday, Parsippany slipped into the elimination bracket where it must win Saturday night to stay alive.

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