After a eight strenuous innings and a wild finish, Braintree American is headed to Williamsport, Pa., and the holy grail of youth baseball.

Braintree walked off Bedford (N.H.), 3-2, in extra innings Thursday to win the New England regional tournament in Bristol, Conn., and punch its ticket to the Little League World Series for the first time in town history.

“I honestly can’t believe it, I don’t know how to explain it,” assistant coach PJ Kippenhan said. “It’s hard to describe . . . just so happy.”

Braintree opens the LLWS next Thursday against Irmo (S.C.), which represents the Southeast region. Thursday’s win came behind a brilliant six-inning relief appearance from Colman Gouthro, and heads-up baserunning from Frank Fasoli, who scored the winning run.

“It was really nerve-wracking,”

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