Carrying a nine-game winning streak and a freshly minted New Hampshire state title, Bedford players packed their bats, gloves and cleats and traveled roughly 125 miles south to Rhode Island.

There, in West Warwick, the first-year Steven-Buswell Post No. 54 American Legion junior baseball squad competed against the best teams from as far south as New Jersey in the 2008 Junior Eastern Regional Tournament.

After extending their undefeated mark to 10 games with a 6-1 triumph against Rhode Island Post No. 2, the locals fell to Rhode Island Post No. 79, 10-0, ending a season full of unexpected accomplishments and milestones.

“We just exceeded all our expectations for the season, and anything we did down in Rhode Island was just a plus,” said manager Tim Conway. “Sure, it was a little disappointing. Obviously, we would have preferred if it was double elimination because just one bad game can put you out of the tournament, which is what happened to us. But the kids understood we were playing topnotch competition down there.”

In Bedford’s first-round victory, Rob Hunt pitched seven innings, allowing one earned run and striking out 10. In the second inning, Matt Woodmansee singled with one out, Alex Murphy reached on an error, and Marc Russomano was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Josh Dobbins notched the first RBI of the game on a fielder’s choice that sent Woodmansee home. After Brandon St. Onge singled, Brian Comiskey plated Murphy.

Bedford added four runs in the bottom of the sixth. Comiskey, who got things started with a single, was driven home after base hits by Zach Husband and Hunt, who each crossed the plate on an error. Andrew Klimm scored the final run of the game when Murphy reached on another Rhode Island gaffe.

Conway said the team’s goals in 2009 are the same as 2008. “What we did this year pretty much spoke for itself,” he said. “We’re just going to follow it up by keeping these kids together and doing the same things we did this year, working on fundamentals and playing good, consistent ball.”