A Close Contest in the Metro Region
The Little League Metro Region championship game concluded on August 14, 2026, with Bayonne, N.J., edging Darien by an 8‑6 margin, ending the Connecticut team’s season one win short of a World Series appearance.
Bayonne’s Owen Feliz served as the catalyst, finishing 2‑for‑3 with two doubles and five RBIs, helping his squad overcome a four‑run deficit and seize the lead.
Darien had struck first, as Hugh Butler’s triple scored Luca Hidaka for a 2‑0 lead, and later extended that advantage when Chase Sutter launched a two‑run home run in the third inning to push the score to 6‑2.
The momentum shifted as Bayonne rallied with two runs in the third and four in the fifth, turning a 6‑2 hole into a narrow deficit before ultimately pulling ahead.
Mason Rincon, who was intentionally walked three times, still managed to retire all 12 batters he faced in relief, striking out eight and limiting further damage.
Chase Klimkowski’s defensive play and eight strikeouts in relief further squeezed Darien’s offense, underscoring the tight competition.
The loss marked Bayonne’s first World Series appearance since 1958, while Darien’s impressive 12‑4 summer included district, section and state titles, leaving them just one victory shy of the ultimate stage.