WESTBROOK — Gorham’s Little League 12U softball team had to quickly forget about its first loss of the state tournament Saturday, knowing that it would have one more chance to win the championship in the double-elimination format. 

About 45 minutes after Massabesic forced an additional game with a 4-2 victory, Gorham regrouped and went on to claim the title with a 7-5 win.

“We did it two years ago, same team, same (if-necessary) game, and we prevailed,” said Gorham coach Nate Schools of his message during the break between games. 

It was Gorham’s second win of the tournament against Massabesic, the District 4 champion. Gorham was the District 6 champion.

“I was really nervous once we lost our first game, but then I’m so happy we were able to pull through and win our next one,” Sophia Santiago said. “And it was definitely a tight game. (They) were amazing batters, they are (an) amazing team. I’m just happy we were able to pull through and win.”

Gorham earned a trip to Bristol, Connecticut, for the New England regional, which starts next Saturday.

Santiago was on the 10U Gorham squad that advanced to regionals in 2024. Gorham also won the 12U state title in 2024.

“I was on that (10U) team and then I went into Majors, so last year I only played three games, but I’m really happy we were able to bring the team back together and win this year,” Santiago said. 

Gorham came out swinging in Saturday’s second game, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning. Hannah Wilson’s single drove in two runs.

Gorham tallied three more runs in the third to make it 6-0. 

Massabesic got on the board in the bottom of the third inning, thanks to Aubrey Bissonnette’s bases-loaded walk and Cylee Rae Graham’s two-run single. 

Massabesic eventually cut the deficit to 7-5, but Gorham’s Natalie McCurdy got two strikeouts and a groundout in the final inning to seal the championship.

“They like to pull at your heartstrings, they make sure that they take it down to the last out of the last game, but they have stuck together the whole time,” Schools said. 

McCurdy pitched all 12 innings Saturday.

“I just pushed through,” McCurdy said. “Every batter, I said, ‘next batter, next out,’ and I just kept going.”

Gorham will play its first game of the New England regional at 4 p.m. next Saturday against the Massachusetts champion.

“At the end of the day, it’s Little League softball,” Schools said. “Some of these girls will never play Little League softball again, and having fun and being with their friends is huge.”