Throgs Neck Little League?s 12-year-olds began their quest Wednesday for a trip to the Little League World Series in Pennsylvania.

The defending champs opened the 13-team District 22 playoffs against the North Bronx Little League champs. Throgs Neck was up 6-0 in the third inning. Nico Alvarez scored from second base and Throgs Neck upped its lead by one. North Bronx made a pitching change after loading the bases, but Donato Signore was unmoved. He hammered the ball to deep right, leading to a grand slam-home run.Throgs Neck advanced with a 14-0 four-inning win.