Canton Little League falls to Maine in New England Regionals

The Canton Little League baseball team is two wins away from advancing to the World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

On Monday, Canton was attempting to cut that number down to one. At 4 p.m. (the game was initially scheduled for 9 a.m.and 1 p.m. before weather pushed back the time), Team Massachusetts was taking on Maine (Gray New Gloucester) in the winner’s bracket semifinal. A victory sends the winner to the New England state championship on Thursday at 7 p.m. A loss sends the losing team to Wednesday’s elimination game.

Maine defeated New Hampshire, 3-0, in the opening round on Saturday. Canton defeated Vermont, 12-0.

Monday’s game (and every game for the rest of the tournament) will be broadcast on ESPN U (it was originally scheduled to be on ESPN).

Stick here for updates throughout the game.

What’s next?

Maine advances to Thursday’s New England championship on Thursday at 7 p.m.

Canton will play New Hampshire on Wednesday at 1 p.m. in the semifinals. The winner of that game advances to the championship, while the loser is eliminated.

Final: Maine 7, Canton 1

Maine Mason Amergian was a star in the victory. He went 2-for-2 with 5 RBIs, including a grand slam, and pitched 5 ⅔ innings in the win.

After five innings: Maine 7, Canton 1

Last ups for Canton here. Miles Mettlach has been really strong in relief for Canton.

Heading into the bottom of the fifth inning: Maine 7, Canton 1

Andrew Sullivan leads off the fifth inning with a single to left field. Nathan Chabot draws a four-pitch walk, but Maine gets a pair of outs. Will Casey gets credited with an RBI, as he hits into a fielder’s choice and Chabot scores from second to put Canton on the board. Maine gets out of the jam despite some errant throws.

After four innings: Maine 7, Canton 0

Canton puts the ball in play in the top of the fourth, but Maine comes up with a couple solid defensive plays. Patrick Furbush gets a two-out, infield single, but he’s left on base.

Sam Archibald gets one out in the inning and Miles Mettlach comes on in relief. He keeps Maine off the board to send the game to the fifth inning.

After three innings: Maine 7, Canton 0

Maine starting pitcher Mason Amergian is pitching really well. That doesn’t stop Canton’s Michael Zollo from drawing a one-out walk. Amergian works around the walk by striking out three Canton hitters. He’s up to six strikeouts through three innings.

Maine puts the first two runners in the bottom half of the inning on base. That will end Patrick Furbush’s day on the mound. Sam Archibald is coming in to pitch. He enters with no outs and runners on first and second base. Maine draws a walk to load the bases. Mason Amergian launches a grand slam over the fence to push Maine’s lead to 7-0.

The skies have opened up and a lot of raining is falling. There’s a brief stoppage in play for the grounds crew to put some fresh dirt in the batter’s box.

After two innings: Maine 3, Canton 0

Owen Collins leads off the second inning with a double. He takes third base…