Pearland All-Stars fall 7-4 to Washington
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, PA
Auburn, Wash., avoided elimination for the third straight game
and handed Texas its first loss of the tournament to set up a
rematch Thursday with a berth in the U.S. final Saturday at stake.
Chris Leger tried to make shoestring grab of Nahaku's blooper to
left in the fourth, but the ball bounced off his glove for a hit,
allowing a run to score.
After the relay to third, the Texas third baseman's throw to
second to try to get Nahaku sailed into the outfield, and Ryan
Lacey and Nahaku raced home to give Washington a 5-4 lead.
"I tried to get in a pickle from first to second so Ryan could
score," Nahaku said. "I didn't think he was going to throw it
because I was almost at the bag."
Lacey said he wasn't nervous with Washington avoiding its second
loss a third straight game, but manager Kai Nahaku quickly
interjected, "Not me."
"Living on the edge," the skipper said.
Texas manager Mike Orlando said it had been a while since his
team had almost as many errors (three) as hits (four).
"I don't think I'll have to say a word about what is at
stake," Orlando said about Thursday's rematch. "We have been in
this position before. We just need to swing at better pitches and
play better defense."