GOFFSTOWN — Joey Barrett missed a line-drive home run to center field by inches in the first inning.

The ballpark, however, couldn't contain Barrett's fifth-inning blast in the Little League baseball District I winners' bracket final. The two-run shot Saturday snapped a 6-all tie and propelled Bedford's 11- and 12-year-old all-stars to a comeback 11-6 win over Manchester East.

“Everybody always contributes on our team. No one gives up. We're always confident in each other,” said Barrett, whose team improved to 4-0 and reached the double-elimination tournament's district final on Saturday in Goffstown.

Bedford twice trailed by four runs, including a 4-0 deficit after a half-inning. Colin Boylan sparked the early rally for East (2-1) with a leadoff homer to left.

East's lead was quickly cut in half. Grant Lavigne capped a seven-pitch at-bat with his seventh homer of the all-star tourney. The rocket to right made him 14-for-14, a streak that ended in the fifth when he reached on an error.

Sandwiched between those at-bats for the lefty slugger were two intentional walks.

“He wasn't going to beat us. The picture that was in the paper today was cut out, taped on one of the dugouts. Every time (East's hitters) had to leave the dugout, they were walking by Grant Lavigne,” said East manager Anthony Malik, whose club returns to Goffstown for the losers' bracket final on Wednesday at 8 p.m.

The combination of six hits and three Bedford errors gave East the edge through 1½ frames. Boylan, Hunter Boucher, Ryan Plentzas and Connor Lyons scored all six runs.

Bedford shrugged off its slow start. The offense finished with 12 hits, a total that included Connor Zendzian's 3-for-3 effort and two singles from Timmy Saltzman.

Saltzman was also sensational on the mound. He entered in relief and tossed a 56-pitch gem over the final 4 1/3 innings.

Showcasing overhand and sidearm fastballs, a curveball and knuckball, Saltzman kept East's hitters off-balance. He surrendered just three hits, notched seven strikeouts and didn't issue a walk.

“I just threw strikes and had my team make the plays,” Saltzman said. “I felt comfortable on the mound.”

Bedford manager Kevin Lavigne said he can't recall Saltzman pitching better. He also lauded his players for remaining composed.

“It was just a perfect team victory. A lot of contributions,” said the skipper, whose team outscored three previous foes, 63-6. “That's a good thing for the kids.”

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Marc Thaler may be reached at mthaler@unionleader.com.