Portsmouth Little League wins district title, advances to state tourney

NORTHFIELD — Facing a four-run deficit early, the Portsmouth Little League 10- to 12-year-olds all-star team battled back for a 12-8 victory over North Manchester/Hooksett on Sunday, July 26 in the District 2 championship game.

Portsmouth head coach Charley Raizes praised his team’s resilience after the game.

“This group never blinked,” Raizes said. “We were down early, but nobody panicked. Every player kept believing, kept competing and kept passing the baton to the next guy. That’s been the story of this team all summer.”

Portsmouth now advances to the New Hampshire Little League State Tournament against District 1 champion Bedford Little League at Michele Park in Salem. The best-of-3 series begins Thursday, July 30 and continues on Aug. 1. If necessary, a third-and-deciding game is scheduled for Aug. 2.

After a 7-4 loss on July 25, Portsmouth erased multiple deficits before breaking the game open with a four-run fifth inning.

“Saturday’s loss stung, but these kids came back today with confidence,” Raizes said. “They showed what championship baseball looks like. I’m incredibly proud of every single player, our coaches and the families who have supported this team every step of the way.”

After North Manchester-Hooksett tied the game at 8-8 in the fourth, Portsmouth delivered the decisive rally in the fifth. With one out, Sam Carter lined a triple down the right-field line, and Ryder Raizes followed with an RBI single into left field to give Portsmouth the lead for good. Bennett Smith drove in another run on a fielder’s choice, and Tyler Hodges capped the inning with a two-run single to put Portsmouth ahead 12-8.

On Sunday, North Manchester-Hooksett capitalized on an error and two walks before Levi MacMichael launched a three-run home run to center field for an early 4-0 advantage.

Portsmouth answered immediately. Jack Lehrer delivered a two-run double, and Carter added a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to one before the end of the opening inning.

North Manchester-Hooksett regained the advantage in the second, but Portsmouth responded with sacrifice flies from Christopher Foster and Dreyton Srimouksavanh to move back in front.

North Manchester-Hooksett scored two runs to take a 7-6 lead before Portsmouth reclaimed it in the bottom half on an RBI single by Smith and a bases-loaded hit batter.

Drew Cresta was outstanding in relief, earning the victory by allowing just one run over the final 3⅔ innings while striking out four. Raizes started and allowed seven runs (five earned) on six hits and six walks while striking out three. Portsmouth’s defense made the plays it needed down the stretch to preserve the lead.

Portsmouth pounded out 13 hits, while Lehrer went 2-for-3 with three RBIs, and Hodges, Srimouksavanh and Joey Coakley all had two hits.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Portsmouth Little League wins district title, advances to state tourney