Massachusetts’ Braintree American Little League earned a signature moment in Williamsport, clinching the state’s first Little League World Series win since 2009 with a 7-3 elimination-bracket victory over Texas. The win sends Braintree into a Sunday matchup against the Northwest regional representative, Bonney Lake, Washington, at 9 a.m. local time, with the loser eliminated from the tournament.
The Texas game swung in a high-intensity, back-and-forth fashion. Texas jumped ahead early, scoring twice in the first, but Braintree answered with three runs in the bottom of the frame to grab a lead it would not relinquish. Massachusetts added to its advantage over the next innings, with key hits and timely defensive plays helping stave off a Texas rally. In the pivotal fifth and sixth innings, Braintree’s offense extended its lead, and reliever Cam Naumann quieted Texas after Frankie Fasoli had logged a strong start. A two-run double by Colman Gouthro in the mid-to-late innings helped pad the lead, and Massachusetts finally pulled away to secure the 7-3 victory.
The win is a milestone for the program. Braintree had swept through district, sectional, state and regional play to reach Williamsport, carrying an 18-game winning streak into the World Series opener before a 13-0 loss to the Southeast champion. Texas, which had dropped its opener in the series, fought to the end but could not overcome Braintree’s lead.
Massachusetts’ victory advances the team to a meeting with Bonney Lake in the Northwest region on Sunday at 9 a.m. local time. ESPN will broadcast the game, with ESPN+ streaming the action as well. The schedule had been adjusted earlier in the day due to weather delays, but the MA-Texas game moved forward and reached its conclusion in Williamsport.
Braintree American’s success in Williamsport underscores Massachusetts’ return to the LLWS spotlight and adds another chapter to the state’s Little League history. The players have spent the week trading pins with teams from Japan, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and beyond, and their run has sparked optimism for what comes next in this year’s tournament.
What to watch next: Massachusetts will face Bonney Lake (WA) on Sunday, aiming to keep the momentum going as they pursue another step in the LLWS bracket. The team’s early-season resilience, strong pitching from Fasoli and timely hitting from players like Gouthro and Trotta, set a positive tone for a potential deep run.
Summary: Braintree American delivered a crucial, confidence-boosting 7-3 win over Texas, earning its first LLWS victory for Massachusetts since 2009 and advancing to a Sunday showdown with the Northwest champion. The victory highlighted the club’s depth, timely hitting, and steady defense as it looks to continue its historic Williamsport run.