Massachusetts wins first game at BRWS
Massachusetts' JJ Gonzalez celebrates at second base after a two-run double during Game 17 of the Babe Ruth 13-year-old World Series against Texas on Wednesday at Diethrick Park. P-J photo by Matt Spielman
Massachusetts' JJ Gonzalez hits a two-run double during the fifth inning during Game 17 of the Babe Ruth 13-year-old World Series against Texas on Wednesday at Diethrick Park. P-J photo by Matt Spielman
Massachusetts' Bobby Strange-Skribiski takes the ball to first base while calling off pitcher Eric Dean during Game 17 of the Babe Ruth 13-year-old World Series against Texas on Wednesday at Diethrick Park. P-J photo by Matt Spielman
Texas starting pitcher Hudson Weinacker delivers to the plate during Game 17 of the Babe Ruth 13-year-old World Series against Massachusetts on Wednesday at Diethrick Park. P-J photo by Matt Spielman
Texas' Peter Shay dives into second base with a double as shortstop JJ Gonzalez receives a late throw during Game 17 of the Babe Ruth 13-year-old World Series on Wednesday at Diethrick Park. P-J photo by Matt Spielman
Massachusetts' JJ Gonzalez celebrates at second base after a two-run double during Game 17 of the Babe Ruth 13-year-old World Series against Texas on Wednesday at Diethrick Park. P-J photo by Matt Spielman
Massachusetts' JJ Gonzalez hits a two-run double during the fifth inning during Game 17 of the Babe Ruth 13-year-old World Series against Texas on Wednesday at Diethrick Park. P-J photo by Matt Spielman
Massachusetts' Bobby Strange-Skribiski takes the ball to first base while calling off pitcher Eric Dean during Game 17 of the Babe Ruth 13-year-old World Series against Texas on Wednesday at Diethrick Park. P-J photo by Matt Spielman
Texas starting pitcher Hudson Weinacker delivers to the plate during Game 17 of the Babe Ruth 13-year-old World Series against Massachusetts on Wednesday at Diethrick Park. P-J photo by Matt Spielman
Texas' Peter Shay dives into second base with a double as shortstop JJ Gonzalez receives a late throw during Game 17 of the Babe Ruth 13-year-old World Series on Wednesday at Diethrick Park. P-J photo by Matt Spielman
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Westfield, Massachusetts, led 4-0 entering a three-hour rain delay, relinquished that lead after the break, and then came alive again to beat Nederland, Texas, 11-7 in Game 17 of the Babe Ruth 13-year-old World Series on Wednesday at Diethrick Park.
After falling behind 5-4, the New England Region runnerup strung together a three-run fifth inning to retake the lead. Lucas Maak walked to open the frame and went to second on JJ Rodriguez's single before both runners advanced on a passed ball. After Jackson Daley drew a walk to load the bases, Ron Tellefsen Player of the Game JJ Gonzalez hit a two-run double to give Massachusetts a 6-5 lead. Daley later scored on an error to make it 7-5.
Massachusetts tacked on four runs in the sixth inning, thanks in large part to the bottom of its order. No. 7 hitter Eric Dean singled with one out before Ryan Lemieux was hit by a pitch and pinch-hitter Ryder McGuire walked. Rodriguez followed with an RBI infield single, Daley reached on an RBI fielder's choice and Bobby Strange-Skribiski hit a two-run double to make it 11-5.
Dean, who relieved Gonzalez after four innings, made sure the lead held up, tossing three innings of two-run ball while striking out two.
Brady Panis hit an RBI single in the first inning for Massachusetts. In the third, Rodriguez singled and stole second. Daley then walked and a double-steal turned into a run on an errant throw. Gonzalez followed with an RBI double and later scored on a pickoff play.
A three-hour rain delay followed in the bottom of the third inning. When play resumed, Texas scored three runs in the bottom of the third and two more in the fourth to take a one-run lead.
In the third, Bronson Delage walked, stole second and scored on Connor Corcoran's RBI single. After a stolen base, Trevor Chaney singled. A double-steal then set up Ron Tellefsen Player of the Game Peter Shay's two-run double to right-center field.
In the fourth, Nolan Smith reached on an error and went to third on Ryder Robbins' sacrifice bunt. Wyatt Hill then walked and courtesy runner Austin Bijeaux stole second prior to Grayson Kenney's two-out, two-run single to give Texas the lead.
Gonzalez started and struck out six for Massachusetts, which improved to 1-2 in the American Division.
Hudson Weinacker, Corcoran and Chaney combined for three strikeouts on the mound for Texas, which fell to 0-4.