AUGUSTA -- Matt Watson socked a two-run home run to deep right field to break a 5-5 tie in the top of the seventh inning as Nova Seafood defeated Gardiner, 9-6, in American Legion Baseball state tournament action Tuesday afternoon.

Watson went 3 for 4 with two doubles and the home run. Matt Powers added two hits for Nova.

Gardiner outhit Nova, 14-10, but lost three runners to baserunning mistakes. Roland Kennerson led Gardiner with four hits.

Gardiner trailed, 9-5, entering the bottom of the ninth, but rallied with one out and had the tying run on first base before Nova pitcher Taylor Candage retired the final two batters.