Grant Holman isn't lighting up the hits column this week in South Williamsport. He only has two of them. They happen to be responsible for two big home runs including the game-winner in the ninth inning sending Eastlake LL from Chula Vista, California to the United States championship game with a 6-3 victory over Westport, Connecticut.
"It felt really good because I've had slow starts at the plate for two games in a row," Holman said. "I came through in the clutch though."
Connecticut led 3-1 heading into the sixth inning, but Nick Mora blasted his second home run of the game with one out against Harry Azadian to cut the lead to 3-2. Connecticut elected to keep Azadian eligible for the losers bracket game and relieved him.
A few walks and a passed ball later and California tied the game 3-3.
Alex Reiner came on for Connecticut to throw an incredible 3 2/3 innings off the bench, but the second time through California's heart of the order spelled trouble. Micah Pietila-Wiggs (3-for-4) singled and Jake Espinoza doubled to set up Holman's blast.
Mora gave California a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning with a solo home run after Chad Knight and Holman dueled on the mound to start the game.
In the bottom of the fourth, Azadian ripped a single for the first hit off of Holman in the entire World Series. Matt Brown came on to pinch hit and blasted a three-run homer off Holman to five Connecticut a 3-1 lead and chase Holman from the game. He is eligible to pitch in the world championship on Sunday.
"My teammates have been doing this for three years," Holman said. "If I throw a bad pitch, I know my team will come back and do their jobs. With our team it's never over."
Giancarlo Cortez, Ricky Tibbett, and Rennard Williams threw 5 1/3 innings of scoreless relief to keep California in the game. Holman finished with 10 strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings.
Thoughts: Connecticut has lived dangerously the entire summer by playing with its pitching rotation. It's ALMOST burned them at least three times, but they're always the most talented team. Tonight, they were facing a team as talented or better and they had a chance to put them away with Azadian on the mound. I think they should've went for the jugular. Connecticut can win the United States tournament still. They have two games and two phenomenal pitchers. The third game is going to be impossible to win unless they can somehow get Azadian out at 50 again tomorrow. Washington almost made them pay for that move once before.
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1 comment:
The ONLY scenario that had promise was to "Save" both Pitchers for the weekend was to keep both at 50 pitches.I never thought they would get that chance.Then tonight the PERFECT scenario then..OOPS...
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