It was simple. If the Jets could improve their record to 19-0, they would be the U8 DCABA American League champions, but standing in their way was a stingy Clippers squad that was looking to avenge three losses to the Jets, their only setbacks of the season, two of which came by a lone run.

Bleachers and lawn chairs lined 4-H Fenway Park but weren’t necessary for Friday’s Jets vs. Clippers showdown. Nervous parents, siblings and friends instead stood in clusters as the fate of the game swayed back and forth until the Jets finally pulled away 15-13 to take the title.

“It’s a great atmosphere,” Jets coach Stan Skwarlo said. “You could see it tonight. Everybody had fun and we had some competitive juices flowing.”

The Clippers got off to an ideal start, posting five runs in the first after three straight hits by Trey Pechal, Peyton Hubiger and Mikey Corbett to begin the inning. The Clippers then held a potent Jets offense to two runs in the bottom of the inning by retiring two of the first three batters.

Clippers coach Steve Toalson thought the positive first inning might give his team the boost it needed to finally overtake the Jets.

“We’ve played them close all season, and we’ve been hitting the ball so hard,” Toalson said. “I was hoping. I was hoping.”

The second inning proved pivotal as the Jets displayed the grit and tenacity that helped them reach the championship game.

Jets pitcher Jacob Morgison was shaken up on a play in the top of the second but stayed in the game. The Clippers scored their only run of the inning on the next play, but the Jets defense ended the inning before any more damage could be done.

With their 15-13 victory against the Clippers on Friday, the Jets not only won the 8U DCABA American League championship, but they also finished their season undefeated.

The Jets then exploded in their half of the inning for seven runs to take the 9-6 advantage. After four of the first five hitters reached base, Sam Skwarlo broke the inning wide open with a three-run triple. Morgison came up next and showed no ill effects from his injury in the top of the inning with a RBI single to left field.

“Jacob Morgison, he’s one of those kids that’s like the whole team is,” coach Skwarlo said. “They take a shot and, boy, they’re right back in it.”

The Clippers matched the Jets run-for-run from the third to the sixth inning, but clutch defensive plays by Jets second baseman Joe Otto and shortstop Nyle Anderson thwarted Clipper rallies. Otto made a sliding catch on a pop fly over first base in the third inning and Anderson reached out to make an over-the-shoulder catch on a blooper to shallow left field in the sixth inning.

“I didn’t think I was going to get it,” said Otto about his catch.

Heading into the seventh, the Clippers trailed 15-12 and back-to-back singles to start the inning gave them hope for a comeback. The Jets defense came through in the end, though, getting three straight outs at first base while allowing only one run to cross the plate.

When the final out was recorded, Jets players, coaches and fans erupted in celebration of their perfect season and league title.

“That was one of those games where you go back home and you sit on the porch and you drink lemonade and talk about it for at least a couple more weeks,” Toalson said.