The Bayonne Central Little League team from New Jersey is one victory away from the Little League World Series after defeating Port Washington, New York, 12-2 in a Metro regional game Monday. The win advances Bayonne to the regional championship game.
Assistant coach Jaime Rivera told the team they were playing with a mantra of "shocking the world" during the ESPN-televised contest. The game ended early due to the 10-run rule.
Mason Rincon, son of the assistant coach, was a key player for Bayonne, contributing both at bat and on the pitcher's mound. He drove in two runs and pitched scoreless innings. Rincon hit a two-run home run in the first inning, sending the ball over the outfield fence. Shortly after, third baseman AJ Tapia added two more runs with a single, extending Bayonne's lead to 4-0.
Port Washington threatened in the first inning with runners on second and third but could not score against Bayonne's starting pitcher Gabe Garcia. In the second inning, Port Washington scored two runs. Second baseman Michael Gabriel crossed the plate on a wild pitch, and shortstop Brandon Kien drove in another run with a single, narrowing the deficit to 4-2.
Bayonne extended its lead in the second inning when left fielder Dex Zimmerman drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. Rincon took over pitching duties in the third inning, throwing two no-hit innings. In the third inning, Chase Klimkowski drove in two runs with a double, followed by Joey Dwyer, who singled in two more runs. An infield error allowed another run to score, making the score 10-2.
Catcher Jeff Bridges ended the game in the fourth inning with a bases-loaded walk-off hit, scoring two runs and enforcing the 12-2 mercy rule.
Port Washington, which had previously won its opening-round game 10-3, will play in a double-elimination game against Darien, Connecticut, on Wednesday. Bayonne had defeated Darien 8-2 earlier in the tournament. The winner of the Port Washington-Darien game will face Bayonne in the championship on Friday night.