Port Washington ready for once in a lifetime shot as they drive toward Little League World Series dream

Never in its 63-year history has the Port Washington Little League been crowned New York State champs — until this once-in-a-generation group of boys came around. “We’ve been playing great baseball,” third baseman Jack Gomez told The Post before heading to the regional round of the Little League World Series in Bristol, Conn. “We’ve been practicing for a while, and I think we’re ready.” Now the six-decade-long underdogs are three wins away from the ultimate prize — their first-ever trip to Williamsport, Pa., later in August. Standing in their way are the best tristate Little Leagues — Bayonne Central, N.J.; Darien, Conn.; and Lincoln, R.I.— for the sole spot to represent the Metro Region in the LLWS. “Sometimes we mess up, but that’s OK,” center fielder Walter Cassens said.

“If we play our game good, then we could definitely win.” Port Washington’s first epic step in the double-elimination tournament begins against Lincoln at 4 p.m.Saturday on ESPN+. Few are more thrilled than shortstop Brandon Kien, who on more than one occasion traveled to Bristol to root on New York’s team in the regional round as a fan who loves the game. Taking the field himself this weekend will be a surreal experience, he said. “It’s kind of like a dream come true,” Kien said.

“And the dorms we’re going to be staying in are sick.” Team camaraderie and bunking together at a hotel for the New York State title tourney in West Nyack have been a huge part of the journey, bringing the boys together. That and left fielder Carlo Cafferata bringing up his PlayStation 5 for the boys. “We played it a lot in the hotel,” he said, adding that taking time for basketball and soccer video games became a good luck charm to beat some of the Empire State’s very best. “We had a lot of fun.” They plan on keeping the momentum going at the team dorms at the A.Bartlett Giamatti Center in Bristol, this time adding in Wiffle ball and plenty of t...