WINOOSKI, Vt. — After dropping the first game of the New England 14-year old Babe Ruth tournament, Central Maine won its fourth straight game on Wednesday, defeating Nashua, N.H. 9-2 to advance to the championship game.

“These kids are on a roll,” Central Maine coach Butch Cunningham said of his team. “We’ve knocked four teams out and want to make it five.”

Central Maine must beat Pomperaug, Conn. twice today to claim the New England title. The New England champion advances to the Babe Ruth World Series, Aug. 18-25 in Murray, Utah.

“They’re a big team,” Cunningham said of Pomperaug. “Defensively, I don’t think they’re the team we are. They’re going to hit the ball well. We’ll see how fresh our pitching is.”

Central Maine jumped on Nashua early, scoring three runs in the first inning. The big hit was a two-run single by Jonathan Wilkie.

Central Maine added two more runs in the third and four in the fourth inning. Nashua scored an unearned run in the fourth inning and an unearned run in the sixth.

“We hit and run today,” Cunningham said. “It makes a difference when you jump out to a lead.”

J.T. Nutting and Jacob Trask combined on a four-hitter for Central Maine, each pitcher striking out two.

“They kept the ball down and let the defense work for them. That’s been the big thing for us,” Cunningham said.

Ben Frazee, Wilkie, Trevor Gettig and Derek Boland each doubled for Central Maine.