Pearland beats Washington 7-5 in LLWS
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, PA
Texas overcame an early 4-0 deficit with four runs in the sixth,
including Van Noort's tiebreaking blast to left, for a dramatic 7-5
win Thursday over Auburn, Wash.
"Amazing," said a smiling 12-year-old Jaron Roblyer, whose
homer in the fourth gave Texas its first run. "We're one of the
best two teams in the United States."
They'll play for the U.S. title Saturday against either Waipahu,
Hawaii or Columbus, Ga., who will have a rematch Friday after
Hawaii's 7-4 win Thursday night.
Pinch hitter Justice Nakagawa's three-run homer to right-center
in the third gave Hawaii a 5-0 lead and Waipahu staved off
elimination. Noah Shackles struck out nine and allowed four hits
over five-plus innings.
Kobie Buglioli had two RBIs, and Georgia scored three runs in
the sixth before reliever Keolu Ramos ended the game by getting a
groundout.
The international final Saturday is already set with unbeatens
Japan and Taiwan playing for the right to move on to the World
Series championship game Sunday.
For now, the Texans may relax and relish a come-from-behind win
after staying away Wednesday night from the recreation room at the
players' complex to concentrate on their make-or-break game.
"We don't want to do anything stupid that makes us lose a game
or something, stay up too late, or get up too early to go to the
rec room," Roblyer said.
He's earned a break after the team's come-from-behind
performance.
After moving runners to second and third in the sixth off a
couple wild pitches, Texas tied the game off a single and RBI
groundout before Van Noort sent a 3-2 pitch over the left-field
hedges for a 6-5 lead.
The 12-year-old pitcher allowed the first two runners to reach
base in the bottom of the inning, but Texas got some nifty defense
and threw out two runners at third. The first came after shortstop
Beau Orlando went to third for a force on a grounder; the second
after centerfielder Matthew Bettencourt threw a strike to get
Hudson Byorick following what would have been a sharply-hit single.
Bettencourt jumped up and down in the outfield after the play
while Pearland's dark blue-clad fans cheered in delight.
"I tried to make a throw right on line, and it was," the
12-year-old outfielder said.
"Nice," manager Mike Orlando interjected with a grin.
With his team trailing by two, Washington manager Kai Nahaku
said he was yelling for Byorick to advance.
"We were confident coming into the bottom of the inning because
we had hit well earlier in the game," he said. "The shortstop
made a great play to save a run for the first out and the base
running error probably cost us another run."
Things looked bleak for Texas early after Washington scored in
the first off its own brand of small ball, getting infield singles
and looking for every opportunity to take an extra base.
After singling, Ikaiku Nahaku tried to advance and drew a throw
that glanced off the second baseman's glove to allow Tyler Tan to
score the first run. Dillon O'Grady made it 4-0 after singling,
advancing on a passed ball and stolen base, and scoring on another
passed ball.
But Washington's run of staving off elimination -- they had won
three straight entering Thursday after a tournament-opening loss --
came to an end.
"They'll probably be over it in 20 minutes, then I think all
that they accomplished will start to sink in," Kai Nahaku said.
-----------------------------
ABC13 reporter Jeff Ehling is in Williamsport so be sure to tune in to Eyewitness News at 6pm and 10pm for a complete recap, highlights and post-game reaction.