Newark National, Del. and Naamans, Del. on Little League Collision Course

Damien Hollyday of Delaware wrote a guest blog for us covering Delaware’s District 2 and the winners bracket semifinals. My blogs will start at the end of the weekend with the “Teams to Watch for Williamsport” article.

Today’s guest post covers Newark National vs Canal and Naamans vs. Midway. Delaware District 2 is the strongest of the three districts in the small state of Delaware. Newark National reached the promised land last year and has won three straight state championships at the 12-year old level. Naamans was the first and only Delaware team to reach Williamsport back in 2003 until Newark National’s run last year.


Without further ado… Here’s Damien’s report.

Newark National vs Canal

Going into this game I thought that this would be a preview of the District 2 championship. Last year, Newark National beat Canal 3-2 to win their 3rd consecutive District 2 championship then later on advanced to the Little League World Series. Going into this game, Newark National outscored their opponents 47-6. Canal outscored their opponents 30-4. There were high hopes for an offense-heavy game. On the mound for Newark National was Jack Hardcastle who was on the LLWS team last year as an 11-year old. On the mound for Canal was #15 Nelson. It was ace vs. ace.

Early on, Nelson struck out three of the first eight batters he faced. Canal took a 2-0 lead in the second inning on a single, error, and pair of groundouts. Later in the inning, Canal loaded the bases before Hardcastle struck out the last batter to end the threat there. Newark National threatened in the third inning by loading the bases themselves with a walk and pair of hit-by-pitches to Callahan and Hardcastle. Brandon Segphachan hit a deep fly ball that was heading out of the yard, but the Canal centerfielder leaped over the top of the fence to rob the home run. Newark National scored a run on the sacrifice. The rough inning for Canal didn’t end there though. AJ Blanchard walked to load the bases, and two wild pitches gave Newark National a 3-2 lead. Jason Daughtery singled in the fourth run of the inning.

Newark National pulled Hardcastle in the third inning to save him for their next game. They put in returning playing David Hawtof who retired the side in the third. Canal cut into the deficit with a solo home run in the fifth inning. Newark National went to Blanchard on the mound to finish the threat in the fifth. Brett Callahan added an RBI single in the sixth and Jack Hardcastle hit a line drive two-run homerun giving Newark National 7-3.

Naamans vs Midway

Going into this game Naamans outscored their opponents 18-5 and Midway 5-2 (They only had one game). Naamans, one of the title contenders, trailed 3-2 early in the game before finally coming alive offensive in the fourth inning. After taking a 4-3 lead, Naamans scored eight runs that involved a ton of errors and two pitching changes.. Naamans continued to pour it on with a pair of three-run home runs giving them a 17-6 mercy-rule victory in the fifth inning.

Naamans and Newark National will face each other for the right to play for the District 2 championship. Canal and Midway join Brandywine and Newark American in the losers bracket.