Southwest Beats Southeast, Advances To Little League World Series Championship
The best Little League team in America was crowned this afternoon. The kids from Lufkin, Texas defeated the boys from Greenville, North Carolina 6-5 in the United States Championship game. Clearly these two teams were the two best teams on the US side. Last time they faced off it was a great game, North Carolina won that game 2-1 on a walk-off in the 7th inning.
Both teams hit the ball well today, Texas with 6 hits, and North Carolina with 8. But the difference was that NC did not have one extra base hit the whole game. Texas only had two, but they were two big hits. Both home runs, one in the top of the 4th to cut the NC lead to 3, and the second in the top of the 6th to take the lead 6-5.
Mark Requena led the charge for Texas going 3 for 3 with the 2-run shot. Collin Ross was on the hill for Texas, going 4.2 innings, allowing 5 runs (only 4 earned), and 8 hits, while striking out 5. Chip Buchanan came in relief for 1.1 innings not giving up anything and sitting down 2 batters.
For North Carolina, Joe-Joe Byrne led the offensive attack, going 2 for 3 with a 2-RBI single in the 3rd. He also scored 2 runs himself. Carson Hardee was on the bump (speaking of “On The Bump” go check out my podcast with Jared McCabe! It drops weekly and go follow the shows Twitter account: @OnTheBumpPod) anyways, Hardee went 4.2 innings, allowing 3 earned runs on 4 hits, and striking out 9. Chase Anderson came in relief and gave up 3 runs (only 2 earned) on 2 hits,a nd struck out 1 batter.
For Texas they play Japan, the International side champions, on Sunday at 3:00 pm on ABC. The third-place game will be played between North Carolina and Mexico on Sunday at 10:00 am on ABC.
Picture Credit: The Denver Post
