Here's what fans need to know about the U12 Little League state tournament in Braintree
Just four U12 Little League baseball teams remain in the chase to represent Massachusetts at the New England Regional tournament in Bristol, Connecticut next month.
Sectional champions Middleboro (District 7), Pittsfield American (District 1), Wellesley (District 10) and Reading (District 13A) plan to settle it at the state tournament this weekend. Pittsfield American teams have advanced to the state bracket four of the past six summers dating back to 2016, while this year marks Middleboro's second consecutive appearance.
More: MEET THE TEAM: Will undefeated Middleboro U12 Little Leaguers pave a path to Williamsport?
The tournament winner advances to Regionals, and the winner of Regionals then clinches a seed at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
There's plenty of work to do before that can happen.
Here's what to know about the 2022 state tournament in Braintree this weekend.
Where
Michael F. Dunn Little League Complex at Hollingsworth Park, 348 Pond Street in Braintree. It is free admission for all games.
Here is the bracket format:
Friday, July 29. Opening Round
Game 1: Pittsfield American 1, Reading 0: Pittsfield American won a pitcher's duel with a walk-off single.
Game 2: Middleboro 14, Wellesley 3: Gavin Gillpatrick belted a grand slam in the win while Jaden Murphy tossed a complete game.
Saturday, July 30
Elimination bracket -- Game 3: Wellesley 10, Reading 4: The loss eliminates Reading from the state tournament.
Winner's bracket -- Game 4: Middleboro 3, Pittsfield American 0: Middleboro advances to the state final.
Sunday, July 31
Elimination bracket final -- Game 5: Wellesley 8. Pittsfield American 7: Wellesley rallied back from a 4-0 deficit to advance to the championship.
Championship -- Middleboro 10, Wellesley 4: Middleboro will represent Massachusetts in the New England Regionals.
More: 'This was for the town': State champion Middleboro Little Leaguers earn spot at Regionals
How did each team make it here?
Middleboro (3-1 in the sectional tournament) defeated Hanover, 3-1, in the Section 2 title game to advance. The team also secured wins over Millbury and Taunton East.
Pittsfield American (4-1 in the sectional tournament) defeated Leominster twice, 12-2 and 15-12, in the Section 1 final to advance. The team scored 47 runs in the five games against Rutland, Amherst and Leominster. Two of those matchups ended after four innings.
Wellesley (4-0 in the sectional tournament) defeated Melrose, 3-2, to in the Section 3 title game to advance. The team scored double-digit runs in all three wins (Needham National, Dorchester and first meeting with Melrose) prior to the final.
Reading (4-0 in the sectional tournament) defeated Gloucester, 10-2, in the Section 4 title game to advance. The team also notched wins over Andover and Peabody West.
The opening ceremonies will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday.
MEET THE TEAMS
Middleboro
No. 1 Nathan Mello
No. 8 Shawn Miller
No. 11 Mike Marzelli
No. 13 Ayden Morris
No. 14 Cayden Ellis
No. 20 Luke Bolduc
No. 23 Aaron Davis
No. 27 Jacob Landers
No. 33 Reece Trottier
No. 40 Joseph Monteforte
No. 50 Gavin Gillpatrick
No. 99 Jayden Murphy
Manager: Chad Gillpatrick
Assistant Coaches: Dan Mello, Glenn Marzelli, and Joe Trottier
Pittsfield American
No. 0 Sebastian Herrera
No. 1 Ben Sykes
No. 2 Noah Malone
No. 3 Jack Wendling
No. 4 Graysen Koenig
No. 5 Jonathon Parsons
No. 8 Brendan Merwin
No. 9 Jacob Knauth
No. 10 Will Barber
No. 11 Mason Daley
No. 23 Aiden Arseneau
No. 24 Mario Zerbato
No. 42 Eli Kristenson
Manager: Ty Perrault
Assistant coaches: Tanner Hanford and Joe Skutnik
Wellesley
No. 1 Griff Ciongoli
No. 1 Alex Marx
No. 2 Matty Devine
No. 3 Quentin Donoghue
No. 7 Austin Lee
No. 9 Sawyer Burdett
No. 10 Max Fukudome
No. 20 Charles Broderick
No. 24 Owen Keating
No. 27 Decker Bannish
No. 28 Thomas McDonnell
No. 44 Robby Fisher
Manager: Greg Ciongoli
Assistant Coaches: Brendan Donoghue and Bennett Fisher
Reading
No. 3 Dominick Fratto
No. 4 Cormac Fitzgerald
No. 5 Jack Schuler
No. 7 Matthew Wondolowski
No. 8 Nolan McKinnon
No. 10 Stephen Pizzotti
No. 12 Andrew Wright
No. 13 Dylan St. Hilaire
No. 14 Teddy Palm
No. 22 Jack Barry
No. 27 Owen Prior
No. 37 A.J. Rizzo
Manager: Mike Wondolowski
Assistant Coaches: Paul Wright and Steve Pizzotti
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Massachusetts Little League tournament is in Braintree this weekend
