Little League Regional 11s All-Star Baseball: Nico Marco’s game-saving catch sets up South Shore for winner-take-all encounter

BEVERLY, Mass. — South Shore’s magical ride continued on Wednesday as its 3-2 Little League Eastern Regional 11s All-Star Baseball Tournament of Champions victory over South Windsor (CT.) was made possible thanks to a game-saving catch by right-fielder Nico Marco on the last play of the game at Beverly Little League.

Yet, despite improving to 15-0 in All-Star tourney play — including 2-0 in the Eastern Regional — the Tottenville loop finds itself in a de facto Group 2 championship game when it meets Toms River West (N.J.) on Thursday at Beverly (4:30). Because the New Jersey squad is also 2-0, the winner of Thursday’s contest will advance to the playoff round along with the winners of two other groups in the 12-team tourney.