Bayonne NJ tops West Chester PA in LLWS opener; Iowa awaits winner's bracket clash
By John Damon
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Bayonne, New Jersey, used a dominant pitching performance and timely power hitting to knock off West Chester, Pennsylvania, 3-1 in the opening game of the Little League World Series for both teams Friday night, setting up a Sunday showdown with Iowa.
The Metro Region champions from north Jersey improved to 2-0 in the tournament and will face Iowa at 1 p.m. Sunday in a winner's bracket matchup. East Side Little League of West Chester, the Mid-Atlantic Region champion, drops to 1-1 and will play in the elimination bracket Monday night.
How Bayonne beat West Chester
Chase Klimkowski shut down the West Chester bats, while Mason Rincon provided the offensive spark with a home run to lead Bayonne to victory. The New Jersey squad's combination of strong pitching and power proved too much for the Pennsylvania champions.
What's next for Iowa at the Little League World Series?
Iowa now faces a Bayonne team that has shown it can win tight games against quality competition. The Sunday afternoon contest carries significant weight, as the winner stays in the winner's bracket with a clearer path to the championship round.
Bayonne's two victories have come against regional champions, demonstrating the strength of the Metro Region program. Iowa will need solid pitching and timely hitting to slow down a Bayonne squad that appears confident on the big stage.
When does East Side Little League play next?
East Side of West Chester moves to the elimination bracket and plays in Game 24 on Monday, Aug. 24, at 7 p.m. ET. They will face the winner of Game 16, a Saturday matchup between the Southeast Region and the loser of the West vs. Midwest game.
One more loss eliminates East Side from title contention, making Monday's game a must-win for the Pennsylvania squad.
What channel is the Little League World Series on?
All Little League World Series games air on ESPN. Fans can also stream games through the ESPN App with a participating TV provider login or through live-TV streaming services that carry ESPN, including Fubo.
How to follow Iowa and the Little League World Series
Fans can follow team updates through GameChanger, the official Little League World Series scoreboard, and the tournament bracket on the Little League website. The full 2026 bracket is available for viewing and printing on the official Little League World Series site.
Where is the 2026 Little League World Series being played?
The tournament is being held in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, at Howard J. Lamade Stadium and Volunteer Stadium. Teams from across the United States and around the world are competing for the championship.
When is the Little League World Series championship game?
The 2026 Little League World Series championship game is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 30. The United States champion will face the international champion for the title.
How did West Chester reach the Little League World Series?
East Side Little League, based in West Chester, Pennsylvania, about 26 miles northeast of Philadelphia, earned its trip to Williamsport by winning the Mid-Atlantic Regional championship in Bristol, Connecticut. The team defeated Delaware in the regional title game, with pitcher Cole Warner throwing five innings and allowing one run in the 3-1 victory.
Friday's game was part of a full slate of eight contests after weather delays forced Thursday's schedule to be postponed.