Eastbank (La.) Little League survived a late-game rally by Central East Maui (Hi.) Little League to be crowned the Little League Baseball® World Series United States Champions on the strength of 9-5 victory.
After four scoreless innings, the team from River Ridge, La., got things started in the fifth, puting five runs on the board. The Southwest Region Champions went on to tally four more in the sixth, lead by Reece Roussel, who went 2-for-3 in the game and broke the record for individual hits in the Little League Baseball World Series tournament with his 15th hit. Hawaii answered, scoring five runs in the bottom of the sixth, but Stan Wiltz turned a double play to secure the victory.
Southwest relied on four different pitchers for the win, including three in the sixth inning. William Andrade started, before Derek DeLatte, Conner Perrot, and Ryder Planchard combined to finish out the game. The pitchers recorded four strikeouts, six walks, and let up seven hits. The defense was solid behind them, with no errors.
Logan Kuloloia started on the mound for the West Region Champions with Issac Imamura pitching in for relief. The two pitchers tallied five strikeouts, walked only one, and scattered 11 hits.
Central East Maui (Hi.) Little League will face Chofu Little League of Chofu City, Japan in the consolation game on Sunday at 10 a.m. in Lamade Stadium for the consolation game.
Eastbank Little League is set to play Pabao Little League of Curacao for the 2019 Little League Baseball World Series Championship Game Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. in Lamade Stadium.
Watch Post Game Press Conference
“Powered by Narrative Science and GameChanger Media. Copyright 2019. All rights reserved.” Any reuse or republication of this story must include the preceding attribution.