SantaFeToday.com Santa Fe’s Hometown News
By Arnie Leshin
Texas East, a familiar representative from the Southwest Region, became the first United States Little League team to gain the 75th annual World Series at South Williamsport, Pa.
The dates are Aug. 18-29 and most of the international field has already been assembled, but the U.S. first began its Regionals earlier this week, and Pearland, Tex., first ousted main rival Texas West from Abilene, 6-2, in the quarterfinals at Waco, Tex., and then made another reservation to the WS by defeating surprise Oklahoma, 9-4, in the Tuesday finals.
Texas East, which will make its seventh trip to Williamsport, was no surprise but Oklahoma sure was. It was the first time Oklahoma had made the regional championship, and it did so by winning for the first time over Texas West in the semis. It had gone 0-9 against Texas West in this region.
Only three locations have made it to Williamsport from the SW, and that is Texas East, Texas West, and Louisiana, and Louisiana won the World Series in 2016.
Pearland began with three runs in the top of the first, but back came Oklahoma with four runs of its own in the bottom of the frame. It was all Oklahoma could score, While East added a run in the second, three in the third, and two in the fourth.
After Oklahoma took the lead after one, Pearland tied it in the second and gained the lead for good, 7-4, after three frames.
Tennessee was represented by Pulensville and game from behind to turn back Southridge, Va., after Virginia scored twice in the last of the first only to have Tennessee come up with five runs in the third to win 5-2 and gain entry to the World Series.
In the new Mountain Region, Utah made it to the Friday finals by overcome a 3-0 gap after one inning by scoring two runs each in the fourth and fifth, and once in the sixth to earn a 5-3 triumph and will play the Wednesday Nevada-Montana winner.
In the New England Region played at Bristol, Conn,. it appears to be Maine and New Hampshire or Massachsett6s to play in Thursday’s title game. Maine had won twice, and New Hampshire and Massachusetts had split two games.
In the Mid-Atlantic Region also played at Bristol, Conn., Delaware and Pennsylvania went at it in the semis and Delaware tallied twice in the first, Pennsylvania responded with two in the second, but Delaware scored three times in the top of the sixth to hold off Pennsylvania’s pair of runs in the bottom of the frame. The teams might meet again in the Friday finals.
In the Great Lakes Region at Whitestown, Ind., the host team from Haverford earned a berth in the Wednesday final against Ohio after eliminating North London, Ky., 3-1, while Ohio came from behind to nip Michigan, 6-5, in the last inning.
In the West Region contested at San Bernardino, Calif., it was Washington state and Idaho that figured to meet in Thursday’s championship. Washington had knocked off Oregon and Alaska, and Idaho edged Washington, 3-2, but lost to Oregon.
Also at San Bernardino, Hawaii won its first two starts over Southern California, 3-0, and Northern California, 7-5, and awaits the Southern Cal-Northern Cal winner or even Arizona.
The new Metro Region that also plays at Bristol, Conn., had New York open ahead of New Jersey, 6-3, while host Connecticut got past Rhode Island, 3-1, and It could be New York and Connecticut in the Friday finals.
Canada, playing in Calgary, Alberto, began Regional play Saturday and have Thursday slated for its championship.
