BERLIN- Berlin Little League’s under-12 Major League team captured its third straight District 8 championship on Wednesday after breaking up a close game in the late innings to defeat West Salisbury and is now poised to make a run at a third straight state championship.

The Berlin Major League team, essentially the same core of players that has been together for three years and had won two straight District 8 championships and two state championships in a row heading into Wednesday’s title game with West Salisbury. After topping West Salisbury, 6-2, in a nail biter decided late for their third district title, Berlin will now set its sights on a third state championship with the tournament set to begin on July 20.

In a well-pitched game by both sides, Berlin trailed, 2-1, in the bottom of the fifth inning before breaking out. Berlin got hits from Kevin Beck, Ryan Duncan and Hayden Snelsire to start the inning. Beck was called out at home on a bang-bang play, but Duncan stole home to tie the game at 2-2. Tristan McDonough then doubled to drive in Snelsire to give Berlin a 3-2 lead.

McDonough then scored on a throwing error during a rundown to extend the lead to 4-2. Billy Wheatley and Matt Kinsey then singled, before Wes Powell cleared the bases with a double that just missed being a home run and the scoring barrage ended with Berlin leading 6-2. McDonough pitched a perfect top of the sixth to close out the game and Berlin had won its third straight district title.