MANCHESTER – In the third inning, Bedford intentionally walked Goffstown’s Dakota Mulcay with two runners on base during the 10- and 11-year-old Little League all-star state championship game. Two innings later, he showed why it was the right move.

When Bedford decided to pitch to the No. 5 hitter in the home half of the fifth, Mulcay smashed a two-run home run that sailed well out of Manchester Central’s Harris Field. The blast was one of several key hits during the team’s 13- 6 win over its border rival on Saturday, July 24.

“That was a mammoth shot,” said Bedford manager Mike Gelinas about the home run, which landed more than 50 feet beyond the right-center field fence.

It didn’t take long for the potent Goffstown lineup, which scored 73 runs in six games – all wins – of pool and double-elimination play, to kick start its offense in the title game.

Cam Bond, Ian MacDonald and Ryan Hall all reached base to open the bottom of the first. Mickey Bridgeman dug in with the bases loaded and no one out, and hammered a 1-1 pitch out of the park for a grand slam and a 4-0 edge.

Matt Martineau chipped in an RBI single before the inning was over, and the locals owned a five-run cushion. Bedford, however, responded with a four-run second inning to pull within a single tally, and became just the second team throughout the tournament to challenge Goffstown.

With the exception of a 3- 2 win over Lamprey River in pool play, Goffstown cruised to its other victories. That stretch included a winners bracket semifinal victory against Bedford on Wednesday, July 21, by a 10-1 margin.

“We have a high level of talent,” said Goffstown manager Steve Bond. “The biggest key is we keep building this team. The camaraderie and support is incredible to see. They’re friends off the field and great teammates on it. When they do have rough stretches, they’re supportive of each other. As coaches, we don’t have to really go in there and pump them up. They do it themselves.”

After Bedford pulled within a run, Mulcay provided a bit more breathing room in the bottom of the second. Hall singled to open the stanza and took second on a wild pitch. Mulcay singled him home with one out.

Taylor Post started a four-run rally in the third with a two-out RBI single. Nate Proulx scored a run when he reached on an error, and Colby St. Pierre capped the inning with a two-run bloop single that landed just in front of Bedford’s center fielder.

The championship team members included MacDonald, Hall, Bond, Post, Proulx, St. Pierre, Bridgeman, Mulcay, Martineau, Nick Moquin, Robby Girardin, Jordan Cossette and Camden Gagnon.

“They’re fundamentally sound, and they sure can hit the cover off the baseball,” said Bedford’s Gelinas. “There are 12 other teams at home wishing they were here in this game, so I guess that’s the consolation.”