The dream of reaching the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania continued on Monday for Bayonne, the New Jersey State Champions. Playing in Bristol, Connecticut, Bayonne advanced to the Metro Region Championship game by defeating Port Washington, New York by a score of 12-2 in 4 innings. .
Bayonne got off to a quick lead in the bottom of the first inning on a massive, first pitch, two-run home run into the trees in dead centerfield by Mason Rincon. Bayonne added two more runs in the inning to grab a 4-0 lead on five hits.
It got hairy in the top of the second inning, as Port Washington loaded the bases with two outs. A wild pitch scored the New York State Champions’ first run, which was followed by a walk to reload the bases. A single scored Port Washington’s second run, but a bad base running decision on a wild pitch by Bayonne starting pitcher Gabe Garcia, Jr. resulted in a run down and the runner on third base was tagged out attempting to get back to third base for the final out of the inning with Bayonne holding a 4-2 lead.
Garcia threw over 30 pitches in the second inning and his pitch count was well past 50 through two innings.
Bayonne added a run in the bottom of the second inning for a 5-2 lead.
Mason Rincon, who hit the first inning bomb, took over the pitching duties for Bayonne in the third inning. He had pitched in relief in Saturday’s game against Connecticut. He looked very polished on the mound and throws hard. He set down Port Washington 1-2-3 in the third inning.
Owen Feliz singled to lead off Bayonne’s third inning. Rincon then got the Barry Bonds treatment, drawing a four pitch walk, with none of the pitches close to being a strike. An unintentional walk followed to load the bases with no outs. Chase Klimkowski then doubled in two runs with a drawn in infield, for a 7-2 Bayonne lead. AJ Tapia walked to reload the bases, and Joseph Dwyer followed with a one out, two-run single for a 9-2 Bayonne advantage.
A fielding error by Port Washington’s third baseman made it 10-2 at the end of the third inning.
Rincon threw 6 pitches in a 1-2-3 fourth inning for Bayonne.
Jeff Bridges’ bases loaded double end it in the fourth inning on the mercy rule, 12-2, sending Bayonne to the Metro Region Championship game on ESPN at 7 pm on Friday.
75th anniversary of the Bayonne Little League and the Williamsport dream remains ALIVE!!!!!