BRISTOL, Conn. – A Maine team has advanced to the Little League World Series for the first time in 34 years thanks to Westbrook’s 7-2 victory over Cranston, R.I., in the championship game of the New England regional Sunday afternoon.

Westbrook will start pool play in the World Series Saturday, Aug. 20 in Williamsport, Pa., against U.S. Southwest representative Lafayette Little League of Lafayette, La.

The 11 a.m. game will be shown on ESPN.

Westbrook went 1-3 in pool play before beating 4-0 Connecticut 6-4 in a semifinal on Friday.

Nick Finocchiaro earned the win with a complete game, three-hit, nine-strikeout effort. Mike Boothby hit a three-run home run in the third inning.

Augusta East qualified for the World Series in 1971 and Suburban of Portland reached the tournament in 1951. Neither team made it to the championship game.

Maine (3-3) 115 000 – 7 7 1

Rhode Island (3-3) 101 000 – 2 3 2

Finocchiaro and Lemay; DiStefano and Marinelli