Pearland Little League lose 7-6 to Philadelphia at LLWS

WILLIAMSPORT, PA (KTRK) -- The Pearland Little Leaguers fell to a team from Philadelphia Sunday 7-6, at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

The Little League World Series is a double elimination tournament, which means Pearland is still alive.

In what had to be the most electric atmosphere South Williamsport has seen in years, Pearland's All Star came within one out of moving on the winner's bracket at the 2014 Little League World Series. Philadelphia's Tiney Youth baseball Little League team jumped out to an early lead when a passed ball scored one run in the first inning and then a throwing error let a second run cross the plate.

Pearland batters had no success early on against Philly's starting pitcher, recording 4 strike outs in the first two innings.

Meanwhile in the second, Pearland pitcher Clayton Broeder settled down to strike out the side. In the 3rd Pearland bats finally started heating up. Brandon Sliwinski doubled to start the inning then 2 batters later Cole Smajstrla hit a single that scored Sliwinski. The visitors half of the inning ended with Pearland down 2-1.

In the bottom of the 3rd another Pearland throwing error allowed a Taney runner to reach 2nd base. A passed ball moved Jahli Hendricks to 3rd. One hit later Taney had a 3-1 lead.

In the 4th inning Lane Roblyer hit a home run that drew Pearland closer, 3-2. It was a special hit for Roblyer. His older brother Jaron hit a home run at Lamade Stadium 4 years ago and the two have had a rivalry going ever since the 2014 made it to Williamsport. After hitting the home run, Layne found his bother in the crowd and gave him a smile that said, "I'm right there with you!"

Pearland kept Taney off the board in the 4th and then the fireworks really started for the boys from Southeast Texas.

Jonathan Newman was hit by a pitch. Walter Maeker got a hit and then Smajstrla pulled the train. Cole's 3 run homer gave Pearland its first lead of the game, 5-3. After Clayton Broeder reached second on a Taney error, Layne Roblyer added an RBI single to his stats and Pearland took a 6-3 lead to the final frame.

Pearland got into trouble in the bottom of the 6th. Scott Bandura reached 1st on a bunt. Then with two outs Zion Spearman tripled to score a run. With the score tied, Tai Shanahan hit a ball that should have ended the inning, but a throwing error allowed the runner to score and Taney won the game.

After Coach Don Smith said his team has to regroup quickly because Pearland plays again Monday at 2pm versus a team from Lynwood, Washington.