The Pittsfield American League Little League 12-year-old All-Stars Thursday will go for its state title in 17 years when it takes on Westboro in the first round of the state tournament at Woolie World Park in Milbury.

 

The Americans -- who last won the state championship as Pittsfield South in 2000 and 2001 -- advanced out of Section 1 on Monday with an 8-1 win over Worcester-Joe Schwartz in Worcester.

 

Evan Blake struck out 11 in a complete-game win in the sectional final, allowing just two hits.

 

The Americans scored first, taking a 2-0 lead with a two-out rally in the second, and never looked back. Nick Brindle had an RBI single in th einning.

 

Pittsfield struggled to get the big hit early on, leaving eight runners on base over the first three innings.

 

It was still 2-0 after four, and Joe Schwartz rallied to cut the lead in half in the fifth.

 

In the bottom of the frame, Pittsfield scored six runs to ice the game.

 

Antonio Scalise had an RBI single, Cam Sime reached on an infield single, Owen Salvatore hit a two-run double to right, Walker Abdallah drove in a run on a fielder's choice, and Brindle was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to make it a seven-run game.

 

The Americans move on to a four-team state tournament, which opens with round-robin play on Thursday. Two years ago, the Pittsfield AL finished second in the state, losing to Wellesley in the finals of the state playoffs.