BRISTOL, Conn. — It’s the end of the Bulls rodeo.

St. James-Smithtown Little League’s best-ever season came to a heartbreaking close, just one win short of the Little League World Series in the Metro regional title game.

The boys were overpowered and run-ruled 12-1 in four innings by Connecticut’s Fairfield National — and starting pitcher Luca Pellegrini’s one-hit, nine-strikeout night — in front of a packed house in Bristol, Conn.

“You don’t want to lose like this, but it was such a great run,” said Bulls manager Scott Santelli, who had tears in his eyes after the loss.

His high emotions aren’t for missing out on Williamsport but instead because his time with the players, whom he has coached since they were little boys, will be coming to an end.

“Seeing them grow up … hearing some of

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