First Wave of State Champions Commences Plus More! (7/21/14)

Well I'm back from my road trip to Pennsylvania's Little League State Tournament and there's a lot to catch up on. Let's take a spin around the country and meet some of the state champions out there.




New Hampshire
Goffstown was the best team in New England in 2011, but after a 4-0 pool play start they didn't put it together in the elimination round in the regionals. Goffstown will get its chance at redemption this year. The District 1 champions swept Portsmouth in the Best-of-3 state finals with a 9-0 victory and a 10-0 victory. Portsmouth said that all four pitchers they faced from Goffstown were better than anyone they had seen all tournament. The lineup is strong too. Liam Kibreth and Connor Hujsak homered in Game 2 and Derek Steckowych homered twice in Game 1.

Missouri
Joplin South rolled through the state of Missouri with a dominant performance in districts and then again in states. Joplin South outscored its opponents 42-5 in four games at state and was never threatened. Zach Westmoreland is great on the mound and at the plate. The team hits for power with guys like Jordy Washington, Beau Gardner, and Westmoreland. That's just a few of the names you might learn once the regionals kick off.

Washington

Pacific Little League from Lynnwood won the first state title in 22 years for the league by coming out of the losers bracket and beating the heavy favorite, Federal Way, twice. Pacific won a pitcher's duel 2-1 in the first game and then blew the doors off them with a 12-2 victory in the "if" game. Tyler Durbin has a great stroke and put a few out in the state tournament. Karsen Tjarneberg didn't allow a hit over four innings in the final victory.

Kansas
Despite never winning a Kansas state championship, Frontenac played confident and loose throughout the district and state tournament and cruised to easy victory after easy victory. Behind dominant pitching and timely hitting, Frontenac beat up everyone in its path. Pitchers Ben Boekout, Ryan Raio, Jake Beckmann, and Cooper Cleland are all effective on the hill.

Nebraska
Kearney won its fifth straight state championship and is looking to get back to Williamsport after winning the region in 2012. Kearney outscored its five opponents in Nebraska 73-2 with four shutouts. Seth S., Will R., Colin M., and Fritz W., Kaden B., Tyler S., Trey R., each jacked at least one home run so far this summer. Seth S. has five by himself in five games.

Texas West

Northside Suburban from San Antonio did it the hard way after dominating its district and section and came through the losers bracket in the state final four. Simon Castillo is one of those special talents and Jakob Rayfield is a good #2 starter and won the state championship "if" game 4-2. Castillo blasted six home runs in the state tournament itself.

South Dakota

Rapid City Canyon Lake made easy work of the North/South Dakota state tournament, until Fargo gave Canyon Lake all they could handle in the championship. Canyon Lake rallied in the sixth inning, however, and pulled out a 10-9 victory to send the perennial powerhouse to Indianapolis for the regionals. Bridger Nesbit blasted a pair of home runs in the win.

Other State Tournaments still going on....

Pennsylvania

I stayed to watch Day 2 and talk about some surprises. Back Mountain American proved they belonged with a big 15-12 victory over Lionville. Montoursville won a tough game with Clarion to eliminate them, 7-4. The heavyweight showdown between Red Land and Collier Township turned into a late stoppage as Collier nearly 10-runned RL with a 13-4 victory. Finally, Taney blew out Warwick 12-0 in four innings.

Taney and Collier is now the heavyweight showdown. I'm honestly not sure how this game is going to go. For starters, it depends who is on the mound for both teams. There are options for both, and they both matter. An injury to Collier's Christian Trottier is also a key component. His bat and work behind the plate are irreplaceable. Austin Hendrick at the top of the order and in centerfield is as good a baseball player as you will see though. Wow does he have all the tools. Speaking of tools, Taney's Zion Spearman used his to hit a grand slam today that hasn't landed yet. It's the second longest home run (if not the first) I've ever seen. It was minimum 350 and possibly 375. That's not an exaggeration. I don't exaggerate Little League numbers.

Oregon

Pre-tournament favorite, Cedar Mill, lost its opener and has won three straight to get back into contention. Bend North is looking strong in the winners bracket though. Gresham is the other unbeaten team left in Oregon.

Maine

Falmouth outlasted Bronco 6-5 in a great winners bracket final in Maine to leave the District 6 champions just one win away from a regional berth. Falmouth led Bronco 6-0 before a grand slam brought the Hampden league within a run. Bronco put two men on in the sixth, but Falmouth escaped the jam with a victory.

Michigan

The single elimination round started and tournament favorite, Midland Northeast, picked up another victory. They're now two away from a state title.

Indiana

New Albany outscored its three pool play opponents 30-5, but now the single elimination quarterfinals begin and the semis and championship are both in one day. Pitching decisions will rule the day. Cooper Biven blasted three home runs in three games of pool play including two grand slams.

Rhode Island

Cumberland American is in the drivers seat for the Rhode Island state title after cracking Cranston Western 17-4. CALL has 12 home runs in its last four games and two walk-off victories to boot.

Georgia

Martinez-Evans, the defending 11-year old state champs, dominated Warner Robins in the final game of pool play, 9-1. The victory gives Martinez-Evans the top spot in its pool as they move into the single elimination crossover. They'll face 2006 Little League World Series champions, Columbus Northern.

New York

Throgs Neck from the Bronx put together another pitching dominant performance in a 7-1 victory over Whitestown. Throgs Neck mustered just four hits, but two of them were of the home run variety including one of the bat of Will Tracy. TNLL will face Grand Island in the winners bracket. Wappinger won a slugfest with Colonie in its first round game with home runs off the bat of Kyle Caccamise, Ryan Kirby, and Matt Rzesnik. Wappingers will face East Meadow in the winners bracket.