BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) – Mike Scuzzarella tossed a four-hit shutout Monday as Massachusetts beat Maine 4-0 to win the New England regional Little League championship and a berth in the World Series at Williamsport, Pa.

Scuzzarella kept the Augusta West hitters out of rhythm with an array of curveballs. He walked two and struck out nine to outduel Maine’s hard-throwing Mustafa Hassenzada.

Maine hitters were out of synch except for leadoff hitter Jacob Rutt, who had three hits.

Maine loaded the bases in the first inning but couldn’t push a run across. Rutt led off with a single, then Taylor Boutin and Matt Childs drew two-out walks. Scuzzarella ended the threat by getting Garrett Lucas to ground out to third base. Saugus American struck for three runs in the bottom of the first. Dario Pizzano drilled a one-out single and moved to third on an error. Joe Kasabuski ripped a triple off the center fielder’s glove, then scored on a single by Matt Muldoon.Muldoon moved to second on a single by David Ferreira and scored on a base hit by Tyler Grillo. Massachusetts added a run in the third when Ferreira reached on a fielder’s choice, moved up on two passed balls and scored on an error. Hassenzada, a native of Kabul, Afghanistan, went the distance, allowing seven hits while striking out six.

and walking none.

Muldoon led the Saugus attack with two singles.

AP-ES-08-11-03 2316EDT