BRIDGEWATER — For the Bridgewater Little League 12U team, Wednesday night’s District 7 title game against Plymouth was all about remaining calm under pressure.
Fending off a late rally, Bridgewater was crowned District 7 champions by holding for a 4-3 win over Plymouth. The team is moving on to play in Sectionals next week.
After going up 4-0 through three innings, Plymouth fought back to within one run after scoring three runs in the fifth. Plymouth threatened again in the sixth with the tying run reaching base after a walk, but a lineout to center sealed the victory for Bridgewater.
“The kids played all six innings, they never quit,” said Bridgewater coach Rich Florence. “They played right to the end. That was one thing we focused on all year is you play until the final out.”
Starting pitcher Brendan Moyer was a key contributor in the win for Bridgewater. Despite runners reaching scoring position in each of the first three innings, Moyer was able to keep his composure and get his team out of the inning each time.
Moyer went four full innings before being relieved by teammate Luke Fantasia.
“If I give up a hit, I know my defense will still back me up,” said Moyer.
His impact on the game did not stop at the mound.
In the second inning, Moyer jumped on a pitch early in the count, sending a high fly ball down the right-field foul line, falling fair just before the fence. Moyer flew around first, then second, and before he knew it, he had a two-RBI triple to open the game’s scoring.
“He helped us all around. Between his pitching being outstanding and the big hit to get us going,” Florence said of Moyer. “That was massive.”
Micah Poulter then brought Moyer home on an RBI single to give Bridgewater a 3-0 lead. Poulter later came in to close out the game in the sixth. In the third, Jake Florence drove in a run with a single that ended up being the winning run for his team.
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Plymouth did not go down without a fight however. Despite a three-run second inning, pitcher Maddox Miller settled in, only allowing one additional run across the next three frames.
That allowed his team to get back into the game. Ian Edwards got Plymouth on the board in the fifth with an RBI single before Miller also got involved on the offensive side, knocking in two more runs with a single.
Though the effort fell just short in the top of the sixth, Plymouth put on a valiant performance, not only in the title game, but in the district tournament as a whole. The team staved off elimination against Barnstable and Sandwich to earn a spot in the district title match, and nearly roared back from a 4-0 deficit late against Bridgewater.
Plymouth’s Kingston Brunke recorded two hits in the title game, and Jack Farley, Owen McCosh and Cooper Campanella each had singles. Mason Robino, David Amato, Dylan Miller, Ayden Conway, and Ryan Hurd also contributed to the team’s success on both sides of the diamond throughout the tournament.
For Bridgewater, Fantasia also tallied a hit, and Cam Goodwin recorded a double. Landon O’Hearn, Logan Brady, Mason Genatossio, Jeremiah Gonzalez, and Hunter McHargue also made significant contributions at the plate, on the basepaths, and in the field to help keep their team undefeated.
Bridgewater currently awaits its next opponent but is scheduled to play three straight games next week, though Florence said the team will be ready for any opponent.
After the game, Moyer said what every one of his teammates is also likely thinking about moving on to sectionals: They are one step closer to the dream.
“I’m just looking to keep making it farther and hoping we get to Williamsport,” said Moyer.
