The Cranston East Little League Junior All-Star team took down North Kingstown on Sunday night to win the state championship and punch its ticket to regionals.

CELL won the championship match 8-2 and was led by pitchers Macin Galligan, Josh Albizu and Luca Albino, who combined for the win on the mound. Albino was stellar at the plate as well, finishing with three hits and three runs, while Galligan also had a multi-RBI performance on offense.

Danny Mahoney, Max Muschiano, Zach Riker and Kelvin Pena Jr. also had key hits in the win for CELL.

What was special about this year’s roster is that it was a true split between Cranston East and West players, as Cranston Western Little League does not offer teams beyond the Majors level. CELL Juniors manager Terry Linehan was proud of the team being able to come together as a city and make some noise.

“It was a great group of kids and making sure they gelled didn’t take a whole lot of work. It’s a great group of kids and they respect the heck out of each other. The East-West blend we have are kids that have battled against each other. They have a mutual respect for each other and it carried over on the field. They’re one Cranston team and any division they may have had on the smaller field has been sewn up,” said Linehan.

Next up for the team is a trip to Pennsylvania to compete in regionals. The tournament will host the top teams ranging from Washington DC to Maine.

Although CELL looks to have a big showing in the tournament, Linehan and his staff are hoping for the kids to simply have fun and make memories, as they have already exceeded expectations with the state championship victory.

“I’m hoping these kids just have a very special, memorable time that they’ll look back fondly on for the rest of their lives. That they’ll forge lifelong friendships. In terms of wins and losses, we’re past that mattering. What we have done is a testament to their hard work,” Linehan said.

Linehan also gave a shout out to his assistant coaches.

“My coaching staff, Bob Blackburn, who was my coach as a kid, and Mike Galligan. It’s such an honor, they’re such great baseball men and with their effort they made it possible,” said Linehan.

Members of the state championship CELL Juniors team included: Ben Garcia, Danny Mahoney, Dante Harpin, Eli Ozbek, James Burgess, Josh Albizu, Juan Fernandez, Kelvin Pena Jr., Luca Albino, Macin Galligan, Max Muschiano and Zach Riker.