Mason Rincon, the Bayonne star that opposing managers have intentionally walked because he wallops balls well beyond Little League outfield fences, rerouted a pitch over the centerfield wall in the bottom of the sixth inning to snag a 2-1 victory in their Little League World Series opener. The New England staff decided to challenge Rincon all night Monday, and it came back to bite them hard when the game was tied, 1-1, and he launched that ball onto the hill at Howard J. Lamade Stadium in Williamsport, Pa.
One Kid’s Night Was a Roller Coaster, and He Still Found a Way
This wasn’t some easy-breezy night for Rincon, either. New England really dug in against him, making him strike out in the first inning and foul out in the third. But when the moment came, that 12-year-old knew it was gone the instant his 32-ounce bat made contact. He didn’t even watch it land, just stared down his teammates in the dugout, arms spread wide, telling the Bayonne faithful to get on their feet. Can you imagine that feeling? “My first-ever walk-off home run,” Rincon said, “And for it to be on this stage, to feel the atmosphere of the stadium and feel everybody chanting my name as soon as I hit the ball, felt amazing to be honest.” What a moment for that kid. But he wasn’t just a bat; Rincon started on the mound, throwing so hard his hat kept flying off. He racked up eight strikeouts, fielded his position multiple times, and even started a double play when he shifted to shortstop in the fifth inning. His only pitching blemish was a home run he allowed to New England’s leadoff hitter that tied the game in the third.
Bayonne’s Defense Was Airtight, and New England Fell Apart
While Rincon’s heroics stole the show, Bayonne’s fundamental baseball was the true backbone. These Hudson County kids proved they’re built differently; they didn’t make an error in three Metro Regional games last week. Rincon’s father, Jaime, said it best: “I know everybody sees the home runs and everybody sees the runs we put up, but for me it’s our defense that has been the one. We didn’t make an error in regionals. We haven’t given other teams 4, 5, 6 outs.” Meanwhile, New England struggled, throwing three wild pitches, failing to field hard hits, committing two errors, and even hitting a batter. Bayonne’s disciplined approach at the plate drove up the pitch count of New England’s ace, Domenik Mombeleur, known as “The Dominator.” Mombeleur struck out eight and allowed four hits, but he was forced out in the fourth inning after 86 pitches. The game was still tied in the fifth when Rincon moved to shortstop and immediately fielded a hot shot, flipping it from his knees to Owen Feliz at second, who stepped on the bag and threw to first for an inning-ending double play. Then, in the top of the sixth, first baseman Leandro Anaya snagged a line drive with a runner on second to get the second out. That’s how you win tight games.
Next up, the Hudson County kids from Bayonne will face the Mid-Atlantic All Stars from West Chester, Pa., on Friday at 7 p.m. That’s a huge game for them, pushing forward in the main bracket. For New England, which features players from Bridgewater, Mass., it’s a brutal drop into the U.S. elimination bracket, where every game is about survival in this 20-team tournament. They’ve got to regroup fast, or their World Series dream is over way too soon.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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