Nottingham Little League’s 12‑year‑old All‑Star squad saw its unbeaten streak snapped on Thursday night, dropping a 12‑1 decision to Bayonne in the opening round of the New Jersey State Tournament.
A Tournament Setback
The contest took a dramatic turn in the top of the third inning when Nolan Muits was struck squarely in the face by a fastball, forcing the team to halt play while he was escorted to a nearby hospital for evaluation; his condition remains unknown.
Despite the setback, Nottingham enters Saturday’s elimination showdown with a 6‑1 record after opening the tournament with three dominant mercy‑rule victories, a run that began with a 3‑0 sweep in District 12 and Section 3 play.
Their next opponent will be Cresskill, which fell 4‑3 to Blackwood earlier in the day; the match is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. and will determine which team advances to the next stage.
Coach Mike Bongrazio praised the resilience of his players, noting that the team’s depth and pitching rotation have been key factors throughout the tournament, and he expressed confidence that Nottingham can rebound against Cresskill.