Sunday, August 28, 2011

California edges Japan to capture Little League World Series crown

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

California returned the Little League World Series to the United States with the type of victory even the big leaguers dream about.

Nick Pratto singled in the winning run with two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of sixth inning to give the boys from Huntington Beach a 2-1 victory over Hamamatsu City, Japan, and a World Series championship.

With runners on first and second, an error by Japan's shortstop on what could have been an inning-ending double play loaded the bases for California. After a force play at the plate, the 12-year-old Pratto smacked a solid liner to center off reliever Kazuto Takakura that brought pinch-runner Eric Anderson home with the winning run.

Pratto tossed his helmet into the air after rounding first before his teammates mobbed him in the infield.

"USA! USA," yelled fans before Pratto's single. A U.S. team has now won six out of the last seven World Series, with Japan's win last year the exception.

The teams exchanged handshakes at the plate before California's giddy players posed at the mound with their new championship banner.

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/08/california_edges_japan_to_capt.html

No comments:

Post a Comment