Bayonne, New Jersey defeated Connecticut’s Darien team 8-6 in the Little League Metro Regional championship Friday night in Bristol, Connecticut, earning the city’s first-ever berth in the Little League World Series. The 12-year-old All Stars from Hudson County rallied from a 4-0 deficit after the first inning to claim the regional title and make history for a city whose little league has operated since 1951.
Trailing early, Bayonne tied the game 6-6 in the bottom of the fifth inning before taking its first lead on a single by Jett Bridges that made it 7-6. Chase Klimkowski, Bayonne’s starting pitcher, drove in an insurance run, and Mason Rincon, who also pitched in relief, sealed the victory by striking out Connecticut’s final batter in the sixth inning.
Bayonne’s star player Rincon, who hit three home runs in New Jersey’s state championship game, was intentionally walked each time he stepped to the plate. Second baseman Owen Feliz made Connecticut pay for that strategy, hitting two doubles that drove in two runs each and adding a run-scoring fielder’s choice to fuel the comeback.
Rincon’s pitching was equally dominant in relief. After Connecticut’s Chase Sutter hit a two-run homer in the third inning to extend the lead to 6-2, Rincon took the mound and kept Connecticut scoreless the rest of the way while his teammates found their offensive rhythm.
Bayonne’s achievement marks a significant milestone for the city and for New Jersey baseball. The little league has operated for 75 years without reaching the World Series, and Bayonne becomes the 21st team from New Jersey to qualify for the national tournament. According to NJ.com, only four New Jersey teams have won the Little League World Series: Hammonton in 1949, Wayne American in 1970, Lakewood in 1975, and Toms River East American in 1998.
Toms River’s 1998 championship team featured future Major League Baseball All-Star Todd Frazier, who went 4-for-4 with a walk in the title game. Frazier served as an analyst for the ESPN broadcast of Bayonne’s regional championship Friday night, connecting the historic moment to New Jersey’s Little League legacy.
Bayonne has remained undefeated throughout the postseason, compiling a 15-0 record through sectionals, states, and the regional rounds. The team will compete in the Little League World Series, which runs from August 19-30 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. On Wednesday, Bayonne faces the team from Bridgewater, Massachusetts at 7 p.m. ET.
Back in Bayonne, supporters celebrated the victory at local establishments, with more than 150 fans having traveled to Bristol to watch the game. Many wore gray, white, and maroon T-shirts emblazoned with “Bayonne vs. Everybody.” After the final out, players threw their hats and gloves in the air as Little League administrators handed them the white banner identifying them as 2026 Metro Regional champions.
Sources
- NJ.com — Game recap, final score, player details, Bayonne’s history and undefeated record, regional championship details, and celebration
- USA Today — Little League World Series 2026 dates, location, and Bayonne’s participation
- Yahoo Sports — Confirmation of Bayonne’s 8-2 victory over Connecticut in regional play
- Little League — World Series schedule and Bayonne’s upcoming matchup
- Baseball Reference — Toms River 1998 championship details and Todd Frazier’s performance
