So far today, we have seen some very exciting baseball, with terrific defense being shown by all six teams that have completed play.
The early contest - at Lamade Stadium - was a consolation game between the Europe-Africa Region champs from Emilia, Italy versus the Northwest Region champs from Bend, Oregon. On a personal note, I was excited to have been invited into the "replay bunker," where I was even able to assist on a challenge by the Bend manager on a play at 2nd base. Honestly, it wasn't even close, the ump got it right, but the runner was sure he beat the tag. As it turns out, this was the first time in the tournament that an umpire's ruling was upheld on a challenged call. I smiled ear to ear.
Bend beat the Emilia team 6-2, behind 4 1/2 innings of lights-out pitching by Isaiah Jensen. Julian Mora had two hits in the win.
The 2nd game was contested in Volunteer Stadium, matching the Australia Region champions from Sydney against the Latin America champions, hailing from Aguadulce, Panama. The Panamanians took a 1-0 lead in the second frame on a monster shot by Joaquin Tejada to dead-center field. This was also the first hit by ether team in the game.
Panama lead 2-0 heading o the 6th, but Brent Iredale tied it up with a two-run homer to right field. In the bottom of the sixth, Panama loaded the bases with one out. Next, was a fielder's choice earning the Australians the 2nd out on a force at the plate. Unfortunately, Jose Tiorres then earned the only walk surrendered by Australia all day, and Panama walked off with a victory, sending them just one game away from the International Championship game on Saturday afternoon.
Following this excitement was a game between the Southeast Region winners from Goodlettsville, TN and the Mid-Atlantic Region champs from Maine-Endwell Little League in New York. Maine-Endwell took a 2-0 lead in the first on a home run by Ryan Harlost and went on to a 3-1 victory. Goodlettsville's only run scored on a HR by Zach McWilliams in the sixth.
Part II will contain coverage of the Canada-South Korea (Asia-Pacific Region) game at 6PM, followed by Great Lakes (Bowling Green, KY) vs. Midwest (Johnston, IA) at 8:00.
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