Hamilton Little Leaguers win state, head to Great Lakes Region tourney

The Hamilton West Side Little Leaguers are off to the Great Lakes Region Tournament after winning the Ohio Little League Majors State Tournament Thursday night.

The West Side Little League (Ohio District 9) defeated New Albany Little League (Ohio District 6) 6-1 in the state championship game at West Side Little League Park in Hamilton.

Hamilton had beaten New Albany 13-2 in the tournament's first game, but New Albany had won four straight games to earn a rematch with Hamilton. New Albany would have had to defeat West Side twice to advance to the Region tourney.

Thursday's game matched the last three state championship leagues (West Side in 2021 & 2022 and New Albany in 2023).

Thursday's state title was West Side's 20th overall.

New Albany was a 2023 Little League World Series participant.

West Side reached the Little League World Series in 2021 and was the Tom Seaver Bracket winner and LLWS runner-up.

The 77th Little League World Series begins August 14th in Williamsport, Pa. with games broadcast on the ESPN family of networks.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Hamilton Little Leaguers win state, head to Great Lakes Region tourney