Road ends in Bristol for Hughesville Little League Gets eliminated by Milton in extra innings in Mid-Atlantic regional tournament

It has been an emotional rollercoaster for the Hughesville Little League 11- to 12-year-old baseball team the last several weeks.

Hughesville rolled through the Maryland state tournament on July 28 en route to a 12-5 win over Delmar of Delaware in the championship game. Before that, it captured the District 7 tournament championship.

The journey continued as Hughesville advanced to the Mid-Atlantic Regional tournament at Breen Field in Bristol, Conn.

Hughesville lost the opener Sunday 10-7 to Keystone of Pennsylvania. Tuesday, the journey came to an end as Hughesville suffered a 5-2 setback in seven innings to Milford of Delaware and was eliminated from regional play. Little League regulation contests are six innings.

Milford’s Chase Boyle came on in relief in the bottom of the second inning and recorded 10 strikeouts in the game to hold off the Hughesville offense in five innings of work.

Hughesville managed just one hit off of Boyle, who did not give up any runs and walked just three batters.

Milford’s Tyler Husbands hit a three-run home run in the seventh to break a 2-2 tie and help secure the come-from behind win over Hughesville.

Hughesville loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh with two outs, but Milton was able to get out of the jam to help preserve the victory.

Hughesville went up 2-1 in the bottom of the first on a fielder’s choice and an RBI double by Alex Borges, but Milton, which outhit Hughesville 8-4, tied the game on a double by Brian Sponaugle and a single by Timothy Hitchcock in the sixth.

Milton’s Hunter Rauch gave his team some life as he opened the seventh inning with a single. Andrew Criswell was inserted as a pinch runner and moved to second on Kye Wells’ walk to help set up Husbands’ big hit.

Rauch also got the win on the mound for Milton, pitching one inning of shutout ball with three strikeouts, surrendering just one hit with one walk.

Hughesville starter Tyler Quade went the first four innings, giving up just one run on three hits with five strikeouts and a walk. Borges pitched the final three innings and took the loss, allowing four runs on five hits, including the three-run homer.