LLWS 2026 Game 28 Recap: Great Lakes 5, Metro 2
Ohio broke a scoreless tie with a five-run fourth inning to beat New Jersey 5-2 in an elimination game at Lamade Stadium. Boone Treadway backed the outburst with eight strikeouts over five innings on the mound. Hamilton West Side’s small-ball approach paid off after three walks loaded the bases to open the inning.
New Jersey fought back with runs in the fifth and sixth innings but could not complete the comeback. Ohio advances to face Alabama in the elimination bracket semifinals. New Jersey’s tournament run ends after the loss.
Small Ball Powers a Five-Run Fourth
Three straight walks loaded the bases with nobody out to begin the fourth inning, forcing New Jersey to turn to reliever Gabe Garcia Jr. Jack McAdams delivered an RBI single for a 1-0 lead, and Finn Dykes followed with a ground ball up the first-base line to make it 2-0. West Side did more damage with two outs still to spare.
Xander Kinkade lined a single over the shortstop to drive in two more runs, pushing the lead to 4-0. Walker Osborne capped the inning with an RBI single of his own to complete the five-run frame. The outburst gave Boone Treadway all the cushion he would need for the rest of the game.
Ohio’s small-ball identity: Hamilton West Side has now relied on situational hitting, walks, bunts, and well-placed singles to power several of its biggest innings during its run through the elimination bracket. The approach converted three free passes into a five-run frame without needing an extra-base hit.
Boone Treadway Strikes Out Eight
Treadway worked five innings for Ohio, allowing four hits and three walks while striking out eight. He kept New Jersey off the board until his exit, protecting the five-run cushion built in the fourth. New Jersey starter Jett Bridges made his LLWS debut on the mound, striking out five over three innings before departing.
New Jersey’s late push: AJ Tapia’s leadoff single and a run-scoring double from Connor Oliva set up a run in the bottom of the fifth. Jett Bridges added an RBI single of his own in the sixth to make it 5-2, but Chase Klimkowski’s game-ending groundout, turned by Leo Feltner to Josiah Infante, sealed the win for Ohio.
How the Game Unfolded, Inning by Inning
| Inning | Key Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1st–3rd | Boone Treadway and Jett Bridges trade zeros. New Jersey’s defense, led by catcher Mason Rincon, keeps the game scoreless. | GL 0, MET 0 |
| 4th | Three walks load the bases with no outs. Jack McAdams, Finn Dykes, Xander Kinkade, and Walker Osborne each drive in a run to complete a five-run inning. | GL 5, MET 0 |
| 5th | AJ Tapia singles and Connor Oliva doubles him to third. Joey Dwyer’s groundout brings Tapia home for New Jersey’s first run. | GL 5, MET 1 |
| 6th | Jett Bridges singles home Connor Reed to cut the deficit. Chase Klimkowski grounds out to end the game, Feltner to Infante. | Final: GL 5, MET 2 |
Game 28 Box Score
| Team | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Lakes, Ohio | 5 | TBD | TBD |
| Metro, New Jersey | 2 | TBD | TBD |
| Pitcher | Team | IP | H | BB | K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boone Treadway | Great Lakes | 5 | 4 | 3 | 8 |
| Jett Bridges | Metro | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Key Hit | Player | Team | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| RBI Single | Jack McAdams | Great Lakes | Bases-loaded single opens the 4th-inning rally |
| 2-Run Single | Xander Kinkade | Great Lakes | Two-out single over shortstop in the 4th |
| RBI Double | Connor Oliva | Metro | Set up New Jersey’s first run in the 5th |
Next Games for Great Lakes and Metro
Ohio’s path forward: Hamilton West Side Little League continues its deep run through the elimination bracket, riding a small-ball approach and strong pitching. Ohio now turns its attention to a semifinal matchup against Alabama. New Jersey’s tournament run comes to a close after fighting to the final out.
Conclusion
Ohio beat New Jersey 5-2 in Game 28 of the 2026 LLWS behind a five-run fourth inning and a strong outing from Boone Treadway. New Jersey answered with runs in the fifth and sixth innings but ran out of outs before completing the comeback. Ohio’s small-ball approach converted three walks into a decisive rally.
Hamilton West Side advances to face Alabama in the elimination bracket semifinals. New Jersey’s tournament run ends after a fighting effort down to the final out. Ohio’s pitching staff continues to deliver strong outings deep into the 2026 tournament.
