ADAMS, Mass. -- Adams Community Bank erased an early four-run deficit and held off a furious late comeback from Adams Police to claim a thrilling 14-13 victory Thursday evening, evening the best-of-three Adams-Cheshire Little League Championship Series at a game apiece.

 

Adams Police came out with plenty of energy in the opening inning. Austin Akroman drove in the game’s first run with an RBI single before the Police continued to pressure the defense with aggressive baserunning, including a steal of home, to build an early 4-0 advantage.

 

ACB answered immediately in the bottom half of the first. Luka Reidinger sparked the offense with a leadoff triple and raced home moments later on a stolen base. Bentley Martin followed with an RBI double, and another run-scoring double, along with a sacrifice fly, tied the game, 4-4 after one inning.

 

Both teams settled in during the second as the defenses took center stage. Adams Community Bank retired  Police in order in the bottom of the inning, while APD worked around a walk and a pair of baserunners to keep it tied.

 

The momentum shifted in the third inning as ACB’s bats came alive. Joey Milesi opened the frame with a double before consecutive RBI doubles erased the deficit and gave Community Bank its first lead of the evening. Mason Kucka and Max Pizani added base hits to extend the rally, helping Community Bank score five runs in the inning and take an 8-4 lead.

 

Adams Police answered back in the fourth. A passed ball plated one run before Avry Decker delivered a two-run single to pull the Police within a run. Community Bank responded immediately in the bottom half, as Mason Kucka reached base before Bentley Martin lined a two-run double into the outfield to stretch the lead back to 10-7.

 

The Police continued to battle in the fifth inning. Hudson Z. reached safely to begin the rally, and Decker drove in another run with an RBI single. Another run-scoring hit cut the deficit to 10-9 and kept the pressure on Community Bank.

 

Community Bank responded with its biggest inning of the game. Kucka and Max Pizani opened the inning with consecutive singles before Bentley Martin drove in another run with an RBI double. Maddox Milesi added an RBI single, an aggressive double steal brought home another run, and Community Bank continued to string together quality at-bats to extend its advantage to 14-9.

 

Adams Police mounted one final comeback in the sixth. A walk, a hit batter and a single loaded the bases before an RBI triple cut the deficit to just one run. With the tying run in scoring position, Community Bank stayed composed and recorded the game’s final out on a ground ball to secure the 14-13 victory.

 

Both teams showcased relentless effort throughout the contest, combining timely hitting, aggressive baserunning and strong defensive plays in one of the most exciting games of the season. 

 

The rubber match of the series for all the marbles is scheduled for Saturday at noon.

 

Photos from this game here.