In Arlington, they’re World Series-bound for a second year in a row

For the second straight year, the Arlington 8U baseball team is headed to the Cal Ripken 8U Player Pitch World Series.

With four of 14 players returning from last year’s squad, Arlington won the District 7 title, outscoring its opponents 49-4, then went 5-0 in the Massachusetts state tournament, twice winning by a single run, before capturing the New England Regional in New Milford, Conn.

“When the games start, these kids seem to focus like I’ve never seen for a bunch of 8-year-olds,” head coach Angelo Amico III said. “They absorb everything so quickly.”

Kodey McPherson makes a catch during a recent practice for the Arlington 8U team. – Barry Chin/Globe Staff

An Arlington native, Amico also coached last year’s team, which featured pitcher and first baseman Rowan Sullivan.

“We went la