Congratulations to the Bayonne Little League team. They are New Jersey Little League Baseball State Champions. For the first time in 38 years, Hudson County has the champions of the Garden State.
The 12 and under squad defeated Blackwood Kiwanis, 9-3, on Monday, August 3rd to capture the annual, Joe Graziano New Jersey Little League championship, moving them a step closer to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. This is the first state title for Bayonne.
All of Bayonne’s runs were via the home run, six in all from four different players. Mason Rincon hit three home runs for five RBIs, while pitcher Chase Klimkowski got the win. He threw 5⅓ innings, striking out seven batters. Rincon pitched sixth inning, picking up the save.
AJ Tapia, Owen Feliz and Klimkowski hit the other homers.
Bayonne has a 10-0 postseason record. The boys will now will now take on Connecticut’s state champion, Darien. That game will be played at 7 p.m. on Saturday, August 8th in Game 2 of the Metro Region in Bristol, Connecticut. The winner of the Metro Region advances to the 2026 Little League World Series in Williamsport. Saturday’s game may be seen on ESPN Plus.
A win on Saturday would advance Bayonne into next Monday’s winner’s bracket at 1 o’clock. Should they lose. they would play in the loser’s bracket. That would be an elimination game on Sunday at 7 p.m.
Led by coach Justin Smith, Bayonne has outscored opponents in the postseason 98-16, picking up three shutouts.
Good luck boys!!!