Bayonne’s Little League World Series Journey Ends

Bayonne’s aspirations for a Little League World Series title have unfortunately come to an end.

The New Jersey team faced West Side Little League from Hamilton, Ohio, on Tuesday evening, suffering a 5-2 defeat in an elimination game held in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, marking the end of their tournament run.

During the first three innings, both pitchers managed to keep the game scoreless. Bayonne’s Jett Bridges managed to wriggle out of a tight situation in the second inning thanks to a great throw from left fielder Dex Zimmerman, catching a runner at home plate.

On the other side, Hamilton’s Boone Treadway didn’t give up any runs in those early innings, allowing only two hits while striking out five.

Then, after Bridges exited the game, the Great Lakes team took control. They scored five runs in one inning, starting with three consecutive walks, followed by some key hits and a few errors in the field.

In the fifth, Bayonne finally got on the scoreboard. They managed to score their first run, although Treadway shut them down with two back-to-back strikeouts to finish the inning.

Bayonne attempted another rally in the sixth with a walk and a single, which led to Treadway leaving the mound.

Once Hamilton’s reliever Bryson Williams took over, he quickly got two outs before Bayonne scraped together a second run, which narrowed the gap to three runs, with the tying run now at bat.

However, their hopes were dashed as Chase Klimkowski grounded out, sealing the game.

As Hamilton celebrated on the field, Bayonne’s players struggled to hold back tears, listening to their coach’s speech to the team.

Despite the outcome, Bayonne coach Justin Smith expressed immense pride in his players. “I think the kids had a great run,” he stated during the postgame press conference. “If I’m not mistaken, we finished in the top six in the country and top twelve in the world, so we really can’t complain.”

Smith continued, “This small town of Bayonne had kids who really proved themselves. We couldn’t be more proud.”

Treadway effectively managed to limit Bayonne’s hitters, wrapping up his performance with eight strikeouts and three walks, along with two earned runs over five-plus innings pitched.

Smith candidly acknowledged, “We took a little too long to get our bats going. Their pitcher was really good.”

He added, “We fought like we always tell the kids from Bayonne to do, and we battled to the end.”

Looking ahead, Hamilton is scheduled to play against Phenix City, Alabama, from the Southeast region on Wednesday.

Bayonne’s journey marks one of New Jersey’s notable performances in recent years, as this 2026 team is the first to capture the regional title since the Holbrook Little League of Jackson in 2017.

As Bayonne concludes their time at the Little League World Series, Smith encouraged his players to savor and remember the entire experience. “Not everyone gets to say they’ve been here,” he remarked. “So, take it all in—the people they met, the good times they shared.”