Bayonne's Little League World Series run ends with 5-2 loss to Ohio

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Bayonne's historic run at the Little League World Series came to an end Tuesday night with a 5-2 loss to the Great Lakes team from Ohio in an elimination game at Lamade Stadium.

The game was scoreless through three innings, as Bayonne's Jett Bridges and Great Lakes' Boone Treadway engaged in a pitcher's duel. Treadway recorded six strikeouts through three innings, while Bridges matched him with five of his own, according to reports from the game.

Bridges, who last pitched during the New Jersey state tournament three weeks ago, recorded three shutout innings before walking the bases loaded with no outs in the top of the fourth. Shortstop Gabe Garcia Jr. relieved Bridges and struck out a batter before allowing an RBI single. Great Lakes then broke the game open with a double to center, and by the end of the frame, Ohio led 5-0.

Bayonne's defense had kept the team in the game early. With two outs in the top of the second, left fielder Dex Zimmerman fielded a ball cleanly and threw to catcher Mason Rincon, who applied a tag in time to end the inning.

AJ Tapia recorded Bayonne's first hit of the game with a two-out single in the second inning, snapping a drought that had lasted since the third inning of Sunday's 6-0 loss to Davenport Northwest (Midwest).

Bayonne managed to score in the bottom of the fifth when Tapia crossed the plate on a grounder. In the sixth, Connor Reed drew a walk, forcing out Great Lakes starter Boone Treadway due to pitch count, and Bridges drove in a run to make it 5-2. A groundout by Chase Klimkowski ended the game, and Bayonne's rally in the sixth concluded with Rincon flying out.

Bayonne had won its first two games of the tournament before losing to the Midwest All Stars from Davenport, Iowa. Mason Rincon hit a walk-off home run in Bayonne's opener and played multiple positions throughout the tournament.

Bayonne fans provided raucous support, wearing "Bayonne vs. Everybody" T-shirts. The city is already planning a parade for the first team from its 75-year-old Little League to reach the World Series.

Great Lakes advanced to play the Southeast team from Phenix City, Ala., led by Kinley Rasmus, who has struck out 14 batters, tying Mo'ne Davis for the most by a girl.