Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Tuesday's National Little League Roundup

Action continues across the country as we inch closer and closer to the regionals which start at the end of next week. I can't believe its this far into the tournament already. I saw yet another classic game, this time in Connecticut. I think my streak is up to four or five now across three states in the last five or six days.


Delaware

M-O-T Little League continued its District 1 dominance, but not in dominating fashion. After dropping an 8-7 decision to Camden-Wyoming on Monday, MOT needed another high-scoring affair to finally lock down the district title with a 9-8 win. John Fritz blasted two home runs for the champions and Luke Wooten pitched a solid four innings. MOT led 9-3 heading into the sixth when Camden-Wyoming stormed back. The 3-team state tournament begins on Thursday.

Ohio

Hamilton West Side, the four-time defending state champion, is going to need to take the harder road if it wants to be the five-time champion. New Albany Little League shocked West Side with a walk-off home run by Ben Smith. New Albany led 7-5 in the fifth inning when West Side's Caleb Owens blasted a grand slam to give the champs a 9-7 lead. In the sixth, Parker Thompson hit a two-run shot to tie the game, and then Smith ended it with another two-run home run. New Albany will await the losers bracket champion in the Ohio state championship game.

Connecticut
Westport, a big favorite in Connecticut due to its pitching strength, needed extra innings to take out a really tough Bristol Edgewood squad in the Section 1 championship game. You can read about that story HERE. 

On the other side of the state, Coginchaug forced the "if" game in Section 2 with a 12-3 demolition of South Windsor American. Coginchaug blasted four home runs including two off the bat of T.J. Vallone. John John Jose struck out 10 in the victory for Coginchaug and threw the maximum amount of pitches making him ineligible for Game 1 in the CT state finals. South Windsor, who has relied on its starting pitching in the Section 2 tournament, will try and come back with a victory tomorrow.

South Dakota
Rapid City Timberline won the North Dakota/South Dakota state championship with a 3-1 victory over city rival Harney. It's Timberline's first trip to the regional since 1997. Timberline scored all three runs in the first inning and relied on starter Carter Stonecipher to pick up the win. Tyson Elliott recorded the save.

Maryland

Berlin, the state title favorite, moved into prime position after a 2-0 victory over Conococheague in the winners bracket final. Ryan Duncan had an RBI and Tristen McDonough scored a run. McDonough also closed the game out with an overpowering fastball. As in... hardest in the East region type fastball. Hayden Snelsire tossed five shutout innings for Berlin. Conococheague will face Brunswick in the losers bracket final.

Indiana

Hagerstown hasn't advanced to the Indiana state tournament in 15 years. Now, they're making the most of it. Hagerstown used four different pitchers to knock off Valpo American, 7-4, in the winner's bracket final of Pool A. Hagerstown now advances to the single elimination semifinals and will await the winner of Pool B's losers bracket. Dyer and Terre Haute North played in the winners bracket final on the other side.

Valpo American will face Jeff/GRC, a 9-1 winner over Elwood, in the quarterfinals. Jack Ellis struck out nine in the victory.

New York

In the first round of the state tournament, South Shore American blasted former 10-year old state champ, Massapequa Coast, 13-0. Horseheads also beat up on their opponent, Auburn, with an 8-0 victory.

Georgia

Columbus Northern and Warner Robins American each won their respective pools in the Georgia state tournament, setting up a potential collision course in the state championship game. Northern won the 2006 Little League World Series and WRALL won the whole thing in 2007. Austin Hicks jacked two home runs and picked up the win for Northern on Tuesday. Warner Robins hit four home runs today in another rout. They outscored their pool opponents 44-4 in four games.

Texas
Pearland Maroon knocked off Sweeny 9-6 to win the Texas East state championship and advance to the Southwest Regional.

State Champions List

Utah- Dixie LL (St. George)
Alabama- Jackson LL
Oklahoma- Tulsa LL
Idaho- Coeur d’Alene LL
Washington- Eastlake LL (Sammamish)
Mississippi- Ocean Springs LL
Nebraska- Kearney LL
Washington, D.C.- Capitol City LL
Texas West- Universal LL (Corpus Christi)
Louisiana- Bossier National LL
Texas East- Pearland Maroon LL
South Dakota- Rapid City Timberline



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