Bucksport evened its best-of-three District 3 Little League all-star playoff series with a victory over Hampden and Cape Elizabeth beat Machias in the Little League Softball State Tournament in Monday’s Little League action around the state.

Bucksport beat Hampden 8-5, setting up the rubber game Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Bucksport. The winner advances to the District 3 championshp against the winner of the Border League-Machias best-of-three series.

At the Little League Softball State Tournament in Westbrook, Cape Elizabeth opened with a 14-1 victory over Machias.

Bucksport 8, Hampden 5

At Hampden, righthander Greg Gobel pitched four innings of no-hit baseball before winding up with a three-hitter and he aided his own cause with a three-run homer as Bucksport evened its series with Hampden.

Gobel struck out eight and walked four in his route-going performance. Gobel’s homer keyed a five-run third inning.

Dan Martin’s bunt single ruined Gobel’s no-hit bid in the fifth inning. Chris Knickerbocker (RBI) and Aaron Peppard also singled.

Mike Beckett had a single to go with his two doubles for Bucksport and Cameron Giroux singled twice

Hampden 020 030 – 5 3 5 Bucksport 005 30x – 8 9 2

Peppard, Perrow (4) and King; Gobel and Gross

Little League Softball Cape Elizabeth 14, Machias 1

At Westbrook, Elizabeth Ricchi scattered 6 hits to help lead Cape Elizabeth to the victory over Machias.

Jamyx Mooney singled twice for 1-0 Cape Elizabeth. Rachel Efron doubled.

For 0-1 Machias, Mary McDonald singled and drove in a run.

Machias 000 100 – 1 6 6 Cape Elizabeth (11)10 20x – 14 6 3

Look, McDonald (6) and Gaddis; Ricchi and Gardiner