The Salem Little League All-Stars faced their fifth elimination game this summer and they won for a fifth time.
This win, 4-3 over Mass. state champs from Bridgewater, sends Salem to the New England Little League Regionals on Thursday night at 7 p.m. against Portland, Me.
The winner gets a one-way ticket to Williamsport, Pa.
Salem led the entire way on Wednesday afternoon, shown live on ESPN. The jumped out to leads of 1-0, 3-0 and 4-0 before Mass. fought back with a run in the fourth inning and two more in the fifth.
Salem’s lefty starter William Briggs was the No. 1 star, fending off probably the most potent offense in New England for five innings before giving way to hard-throwing lefty Nolan Dupuis.
Portland and Salem met on the first day of the tournament, with Portland winning 2-0, in a close game.
We have more updates from Bristol, Conn. from our writer on the scene, Jamie Pote.