Dominic Hussey of Saco awaits a pitch in the championship game of the District 4 Little League tournament for 10 to 12-year-olds. (SAM BONSEY/Journal Tribune).

OLD ORCHARD BEACH — York Little League coach Ed Gullison has been in awe of how his players have come through during their run in the District 4 tournament.

His players delivered once again in the decisive championship game against Saco. Alex Taylor pitched a complete game, striking out seven, and he hit an RBI single in the second inning as York beat Saco 2-1 to advance to the state tournament in Lewiston for 10 to 12-year-old’s.

“I don’t even know if proud is a good enough word,” said Gullison. “It’s inspiring to see this many kids come together, time and time again, to succeed together … (Taylor) was amazing on the mound for us. He commanded the whole game, took control and everyone got on his back … He’s been spectacular for us.”

The win gives York its first District 4 championship since 2011. 

In the second inning, with Jon Jacobson at first, Taylor ripped a ground ball up the middle off Saco starter Beck Edgerly. Shortstop Wyatt Benoit looked to make a play, but the ball took a bad bounce, and came up to hit Benoit in the eye. The ball trickled into the outfield, which allowed Jacobson to score to make it 1-0.

Taylor and Edgerly each settled into a grove for the next three innings, with both right-handers relying on off-speed pitches to keep batters off-balanced. Edgerly struck out two over five innings.

“(Edgerly) was phenomenal,” said Saco coach Warren Kenniston. “He was lights out. His curveball was amazing, and he really came up big today.”

Brad Carr led off the sixth inning with a single to end Edgerly’s night on the mound. Benoit came in and struck out Lucas Ketchum, but Jack Joyce doubled to drive in Carr to extend the lead. Benoit struck out Ryan Cummins and got Robbie Hanscom to ground out to third to stop the bleeding.

But Saco made a serious threat in the bottom of the inning.

After Benoit ripped a single up the middle to lead off the inning, Dominic Hussey followed with an opposite field hit to right. Benoit advanced to third on the play to give Saco runners on first and third with no outs. 

Henry Kenniston then came up to bat and hit a sacrifice fly to deep center field, scoring Benoit, to make it 2-1. Taylor got Cam Cyr to hit into a fielder’s choice to bring York to within one out of a district championship. However, on the next pitch Brayden Ames reached on a throwing error from third basemen Parker Murch, and advanced to second to represent the winning run.

But Taylor dug down and struck out Tyler Brown looking on a fastball on the outside corner to clinch the title for York. 

Even though York walked away with a district championship, Gullison was aware of the challenge Saco presented, and he said that he only hoped he wouldn’t get out-coached by their opponent.

“Credit to Saco,” said Gullison. “It was such a great game. That team over there is equal to us. If we play them 10 times, who knows?”

Warren Kenniston shared high praise for York as well. 

“We have a lot of respect for York,” he said. “We think they’re the best team in the state, and we wish them the best of luck in the state tournament.”