The all-star team from El Segundo successfully avoided being eliminated in the Little League World Series on Tuesday by securing a 9-3 victory over the Smithfield Little League from Rhode Island in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Louis Lappe and Max Baker demonstrated exceptional performance on the mound, allowing Smithfield only one hit throughout the initial five innings of the six-inning game. Meanwhile, Brody Brooks and Lucas Keldorf contributed significantly with their two RBIs and two hits each, helping El Segundo secure the win in the elimination-bracket game held at Howard J. Lamade Stadium.
Next, El Segundo, the West Region champion, will face off against the all-star team from the Nolensville Little League, the Southeast Region champion, on Wednesday. This eagerly anticipated match will kick off at 4 p.m. PT and will be broadcasted on ESPN.
To secure a spot in the U.S. championship game on Saturday, El Segundo must win on Wednesday and Thursday. The U.S. champion will then compete against the international champion in the world championship on Sunday.
Among the original field of 10 teams, El Segundo is one of the four teams remaining in contention for the U.S. championship.
During the first inning with El Segundo batting as the visiting team, Brooks led the charge with a single. He advanced to second base on a wild pitch, then to third on a passed ball. Following Lappe’s strikeout, the third batter, Jaxon Kalish, capitalized on Curtis’ wild pitch, allowing Brooks to score. Kalish advanced to second and then to third on subsequent wild pitches, ultimately scoring on Baker’s infield hit.
In the second inning, El Segundo scored two runs on a wild pitch. In the third inning, the team capitalized on a hit batter, singles by Lappe and Keldorf, and an error, leading to three additional runs. In the fifth inning, Brooks sealed the deal with a two-run homer.
El Segundo’s attempt at a shutout ended with two outs in the sixth inning when Curtis’ single drove in John Wozniak, who had reached base on an error. Connor Queenan, who reached on a fielder’s choice, and Curtis were both brought home by Brayden Castellone’s triple.
Lappe, El Segundo’s starting pitcher, performed exceptionally, allowing only one hit in 3 2/3 innings. He struck out nine batters, walked two, and ultimately received the victory. Baker, who took over as pitcher, struck out three, walked one, and allowed only one hit in 1 1/3 innings. Colby Lee closed the game by striking out two batters and conceding two runs on two hits in one inning.
Curtis, the first of three pitchers for Smithfield, was charged with the loss after giving up four runs (two earned) and four hits in two innings. He managed to strike out five batters but also had five wild pitches.
El Segundo outperformed Smithfield, the Metro Region champion, in terms of hits with a 9-4 advantage.
El Segundo had been relegated to the elimination bracket of the modified double-elimination tournament following a 3-1 loss to the all-star team from the Needville Little League in Texas on Monday.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
