Bridgewater finally reached the top of the mountain
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Bridgewater Little Leaguers consistently played good baseball but rarely could claim the biggest prizes. The Bridgewater, Massachusetts players often stood near the top but the summit remained out of reach.
Specifically, Hingham blocked off the summit, defeating Bridgewater for Section 2 championships at the minor level and 9-11-year-old division the past two years.
But when it mattered most at the major division, Bridgewater kept climbing, and finally took the mountain top. Turns out, this team was still unsatisfied. So, it reached new heights.
And now Bridgewater stands as one of the world's top 20 Little League Baseball teams.
Bridgewater captured that elusive Section 2 championship, added the league's second state crown a few weeks later and made history when it secured the New England championship, becoming the league's first team to reach the Little League World Series. Bridgewater made its debut Wednesday at Lamade Stadium, playing New Jersey.
"We were the bridesmaid a lot. We weren't winning tournaments and things like that, but we always were in a championship game whatever league or tournament we were in," Bridgewater manager Tim Zackrison said. "Every year, it got progressively better. A lot of them put in a ton of work. A lot of them had great seasons in travel ball and that carried into the Little League season."
Like it never has before.
Bridgewater joined the 2024 team as the only in league history to win state titles before dominating the opposition at regionals and outscoring three teams, 26-1. Still, it was not a climb which came without obstacles. How Bridgewater hurdled those tells its 2026 story best.
Former nemesis Hingham defeated it early in Sections and Parkway in the second game at states. Both times, however, Bridgewater came storming back. It avenged both wins in impressive fashion and here it is today.
"It's that dream fulfilled of any 12-year-old player and they're there. I hope every one of them soaks it up and takes it all in and creates that snap shot that will forever be in their memories," Bridgewater Little League president Pat Murphy said. "Regardless of the outcome, they're one of the top 20 teams in the world. Just to be there representing Bridgewater and Massachusetts and the New England region is incredible."
Entering the all-star season, winning that Section 2 crown was the top priority. It looked like history might repeat itself, though, when Hingham won that first game, 14-2. Unfazed, Bridgewater regrouped, won its next two games and then had the showdown it wanted, slaying the dragon, blanking Hingham, 3-0 and grabbing that championship banner.
"Winning sections was enormous. That was huge," Zachrison said. "That team had our number and it was great to get past them and even just going to states was an awesome experience."
As such, complacency could have set in or possibly doubt that it could farther when Parkway won at states, 5-2 two days after Bridgewater won a marathon 15-14 opener in seven innings. Again, being knocked down brought out this team's best and Bridgewater dominated, blanking Pittsfield, 6-0 and battering Parkway in the championship rematch, 11-0.
"When they won the sectional championship you not only saw the jubilation and hard work they put forth pay off but the weight come off their shoulders," Murphy said. "Just going to the state tournament that probably could have been end of the season with a huge smile on the kids' faces. For them to get through what they would consider their rival team that took them out the last two years was absolutely amazing. Then to go into the state tournament and play great baseball and battle adversity and come back and play that same team and emerge victorious was really special."
All those Section experiences, even from the past two seasons, made Bridgewater better. That is a big reason it did not flinch after losing at states. This team was knocked down the last two years, but the race to the 12U year and ultimate success there is a marathon, not a sprint.
Instead of growing discouraged, Bridgewater grew more determined. And when that commitment led to a breakthrough win there this year, it paved the way for the success which came following the state tournament loss. When there was no more margin for error, Bridgewater was nearly perfect the rest of the way and then about as close as one can get to being that way at regionals, with every player delivering a hit and none making an error.
"When we lost to Parkway, we just said, 'We've been here before; we know we can do it,'" Zachrison said. "Since having that adversity to overcome, they have all played great baseball. The pitching was fantastic and so was the hitting and defense. We've been telling them it's just another baseball game and they buy into that now and have done a great job."
"They have such an even keel coaching staff and three great coaches in Tim, Ryan Morin and Joe Mombeleur. I'm going to steal a quote from coach Joe that baseball is a grind. You appreciate the success, but learn from the losses and take those and come back stronger. This team has certainly done that."
Because of that, these 12 Bridgewater Little Leaguers have gone where no other team there ever has. It also has captivated not just its community but Massachusetts as a whole. The Red Sox are watching, too, and suddenly the Little Leaguers are getting Big League treatment.
The hoopla this team has generated will last long after the Series ends. But even after it fades, the lessons the team has learned along the way can carry these players far as they move forward along life's path. Sure, Bridgewater would have preferred to go undefeated while making its Series run but the journey it took has now become even more rewarding because it never backed down.
They became Bridgewater Strong.
"All 12 of them are very mentally strong and really good baseball players. They didn't let a loss define them with their runs in sections in states and onward," Murphy said. "For them to take those learnings and really show their character and battle back from adversity says so much about them. Kudos to them, the coaches and their parents for raising them so well.
"For them, if they become parents and coaches and choose to give back later on, what lessons and memories they will be able to share."