By Ethan Roy
Weeks of Little League® International play, featuring thousands of games, culminated with seven local Little League® teams earning the title of World Champion. You are invited to remember and re-visit the Championship Summer of 2019.
Senior League Baseball
Central East Maui LL (Wailuku, Hawaii) vs. Liga Pariba LL (Willemstad, Curaçao) LL — Easley, S.C.
After winning every game via the 10-run rule en route to the Senior League Baseball Championship Game, Hawaii wasted no time in getting on the board against Curaçao. Isaiah Souza got it started with a two-run single in the top of the first. A two-RBI double in the second by Makane Honokaupu extended their lead to 5-0. While producing at the plate, they were efficient in the field, committing just one error. Lee Souza paced Hawaii on the mound, striking out five and allowing just one hit in six innings. Curaçao’s first hit came in the fourth inning, but it was too late. In the second game of a doubleheader, Hawaii took care of business in six innings, winning 11-0. Visit the Senior League Baseball website for complete tournament details.
Junior League Softball
Columbus LL (Texas) vs. Tampa Bay/Interbay LL (Tampa, Florida) — Kirkland, Wash.
In what was arguably the most entertaining championship game across all of Little League, Florida Southeast Softball climbed all the way back into the game, erasing a four-run deficit against Texas in the final three innings. A solo home run from Mayson Post put Texas ahead in the second inning, and they would hold the lead for the next three frames, tacking on five more in the process. Entering the bottom of the seventh down, 6-3, an RBI single from Lindsey Chadwick sparked a four-run rally to end it. Florida Southeast did not lead in the game until Cassidy Lund roped a walk-off double to cap an impressive comeback, as Florida won 7-6. Visit the Junior League Softball website for complete tournament details.
Senior League Softball
Delaware District 3 LL vs. Texas District 9 LL (Waco) — Lower Sussex, Del.
Delaware, the host team, jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first on a two-RBI double from Jada Evans. It would remain that way until Texas took the lead in the bottom of the third when Hannah Boettcher collected an RBI single. Then, an error by Delaware center fielder Couri Smith allowed two more to come across and give Texas a 3-2 lead. They would add two more in the fourth and two more in the sixth to push their lead over Delaware to 7-4. A solo home run from Kate Evick in the top of the seventh cut the lead to 7-5, but that’s all Delaware would get, as Texas survived the late rally to win 7-5. Visit the Senior League Softball website for complete tournament details.
Intermediate 50/70 Baseball
Matamoros LL (Mexico) vs. McCalla LL (Alabama) — Livermore, Calif.
In the opening frame, Gael Ponce of Mexico opened the scoring on an RBI groundout to put Mexico up 1-0. That would be the only lead Mexico would have all game, however. In the bottom of the first inning, Alabama generated four singles and a walk to retake the lead for good, going up 3-1. Entering the final frame with a comfortable 9-2 advantage, Alabama survived a late scare from Mexico, which plated three in the top of the seventh inning. Drake McBride did it all for Alabama, going 2-for-3 at the plate with four RBI, and two runs scored. On the mound, McBride came on in relief and shut the door for Alabama, striking out two and securing the win. Visit the Intermediate 50/70 Baseball website for complete tournament details.
Junior League Baseball
Golden Hill LL (Fullerton, Calif.) vs. Radames Lopez LL (Guayama, Puerto Rico) — Taylor, Mich.
Jose Ortiz drew a leadoff walk to open the game for Puerto Rico, and an RBI groundout from Eric Rodriguez helped contribute to Puerto Rico’s 2-0 lead after the top half of the first inning. An Ortiz error in the bottom of the frame helped the West score its first run. In the second inning, the West’s Kyle Kim singled to even the score at 2-2 and would come around to score on a wild pitch to give West a lead it would not relinquish. This game was closer than the scoreboard indicated, as it was a 5-3 game heading into the bottom of the sixth until West strung together three hits, extending their lead to 8-3, which is how it would stay. Visit the Junior League Baseball website for complete tournament details.
Little League Softball
Eastbank LL (River Ridge, La.) vs. Rowan LL (Salisbury, North Carolina) — Portland, Ore.
North Carolina struck first in the opening frame courtesy of a Riley Haggas two-run double, and it would go on to hold the lead for the rest of the game. Louisiana’s lone run came in the top of the third on an RBI groundout from Kayla Giardina. Campbell Schaen pitched a gem for North Carolina, striking out nine batters and allowing just one run in six innings of work. Despite only recording three hits in the game, North Carolina’s batters struck at opportune times en route to the Little League Softball World Series championship. Visit the Little League Softball website for complete tournament details.
Little League Baseball
Eastbank LL (River Ridge, La.) vs. Pabao LL (Willemstad, Curaçao) — Williamsport, Pa.
Through four innings, it was a tight ballgame in Williamsport, Pa. Louisiana had managed two runs against Curaçao’s starting pitcher Keven Rosina, but had only four hits through four frames, and Curaçao was very much in contention. In the top of the fifth, Louisiana flipped the script, ripping four hits and scoring four runs, for a 6-0 lead. Egan Prather spun a gem for the Southwest Regional Champions, throwing a complete game shutout in which he struck out six and allowed only two hits. Marshall Louque went 3-for-3 at the plate with three RBI in Louisiana’s commanding 8-0 Championship Game victory. Visit the Little League Baseball website for complete tournament details.