The dream remains alive!! A huge comeback on Friday night in Bristol, Connecticut propelled Bayonne past Darien, Connecticut by a final of 8-6 to capture the Metro Region Championship and send Bayonne, the New Jersey State Champions, on to the ultimate dream, the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania beginning next week.
This will be the Bayonne Central team’s first-ever trip to Williamsport.
Trailing 4-0 after the top of the first inning, Bayonne immediately cut the deficit to 4-2 in the bottom half of the opening inning. But things got out of hand and Bayonne eventually found themselves behind by a score of 6-2.
That’s when Bayonne slugger Mason Rincon took over. The powerful Rincon wasn’t able to do anything on offense because he was intentionally walked each time he came to bat. But Rincon was a gem on the mound, pitching in relief. He allowed no hits and recorded 8 eight strikeouts after taking the mound in the third inning.
Bayonne cemented its comeback in the fifth inning. Owen Feliz powered Bayonne’s offense all night. His first inning double sent two runs home and then, in the bottom of the fifth, Feliz had a massive hit, doubling in two runs to tie the game 6-6 after Leandro Anaya was walked and Gabriel Garcia Jr. singled for his third hit of the game..
Bayonne took the lead when Jett Bridges hit the ball down the center of the field to bring Rincon home and put Bayonne ahead for the first time, 7-6.
Chase Klimkowski followed with a single to score another run and put Bayonne up 8-6.
Rincon, who struck out the side in the fifth inning, retired Connecticut 1-2-3 in the sixth to give Bayonne an incredible come from behind victory, giving them the Metro Region title and a trip to Williamsport, the most hallowed place for Little League baseball.
Bayonne’s first game in the Little League World Series opening round will be against Bridgewater, Massachusetts at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, airing on ESPN.