The Gray-New Gloucester/Raymond Little League team opened its New England Region tournament campaign in Bristol, Connecticut, only to be shut out 7-0 by a dominant Massachusetts squad.
Massachusetts struck first, plating three runs in the opening inning after Dominik Mombeleur launched a three-run home run that put the opposition ahead early.
The Massachusetts lineup continued to press, with Jackson Morin and Luke Schaltz each delivering singles in the first frame and Morin later finishing 3-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored.
Relief pitchers Beau Amergian, Elliott Szczesniak and Drew Clark combined to surrender just one run over the final 2 ⅔ innings, preserving the shutout.
Gray-New Gloucester/Raymond managed only a single hit, a sixth-inning single by Parker Welch, as Jude DeSimone closed out the game with 1 ⅔ innings of flawless relief.
Looking Ahead to Sunday’s Elimination Game
The Maine champions now drop into the loser’s bracket and will meet New Hampshire’s Portsmouth at 4 p.m. Sunday, a rematch that could rewrite their recent regional history.
Having played in the New England Region tournament twice in the past four years, the squad captured the title in 2023 and advanced to the Little League World Series, a feat that adds a layer of optimism despite the current setback.