BRISTOL, Conn. — The Gray-New Gloucester/Raymond 12U Little League team is heading to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, for the Little League World Series later this month.
The team defeated Canton, Massachusetts 2-1 in the New England Regional Championship Thursday night in Bristol, Connecticut.
Hundreds of fans made the nearly four-hour drive from the Gray area to support the Maine State Champions.
Maine got on the board early after Caleb Barker hit a line drive up the runner to give Maine a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Then in the second inning, Grant Brann hit a pop fly to right field that was misplayed and Brann ended up coming around to score and put Maine up 2-0. Kayden Oliver started the game on the mound for Gray-New Gloucester/Raymond and allowed just one run in a five-plus inning performance.
While Maine led the entire game, it was a dramatic finish.
Caleb Barker came in to close out the game on the mound for Maine. With two outs, Massachusetts had a runner on second and third base and needed just one run to tie the game.
Barker delivered the final strikeout of the game to win Maine the New England Regional Championship.
The Maine state champions took down New Hampshire and Massachusetts earlier this week in the New England Regional Tournament and haven't lost a single game this summer.
The team is also raising money to help families make the trip to Williamsport next week. You can donate to the GoFundMe here. The Little League is also selling team merchandize with proceeds also going to support travel efforts.
They are the fourth Maine team to ever make it to the Little League World Series, and the first in 18 years.
Gray-New Gloucester & Raymond arrived in Williamsport Friday morning as they settle in for the big tournament.
The team will face the Northwest team 3 p.m. Thursday, and you can find a full Little League World Series schedule here.