The Bedford all-stars rallied from an 8-0 fifth-inning deficit and topped Portsmouth 9-8 in Thursday nights opening game of the state Little League Baseball (10-12) championship series at Michele Memorial Park in Salem.Game 2 of the best-of-three series is set for Saturday at 12:30 p.m. at Michele Memorial Park. A Game 3, if necessary, would be played Sunday at 12:30 p.m., also in Salem.Sam Bouthiette had a three-run double to highlight a five-run fifth inning and sent Bedford on its way to victory. Bedford prevailed in walk-off fashion in the bottom of the sixth.The series is a rematch of the 2025 state finals won by Bedford.