Tennessee, representing the Southeast, used extra innings to stay alive in the 2016 edition of the Little League World Series. It took seven innings, but eventually, Tennessee defeated California, from the West, by a final score of 4-2.

Tennessee survives elimination. | Photo: AP
Tennessee survives elimination. | Photo: AP

Tennessee breaks through first

After neither side could get a run on the board in the opening frame, the Southeast broke the deadlock in the top of the second. Initially, JuJu Padilla coasted through the second, getting the first two batters to ground out. But then, John Henry Knotts reached on a catcher’s interference.

Then, Ryan Oden singled to right field and Brock Duffer got hit by a pitch. With the bases loaded, Jon Luke Simmons drew a walk which brought Knotts in from third base.

California, though, continued to threaten on the base path. The pitcher, Padilla, drew a walk but was pinch ran for as JonLuke Hobdy took his place. Hobdy made it to second base when Omar Colmenero smacked a ball to center.

Unfortunately for the team from the West, Devin Hinojosa grounded into a double play and give Tennessee momentum. Despite a walk from Zach McWilliams, the youngster was able to get out the jam with another ground ball.

Zach McWilliams doubled his own advantage in the top of the fifth inning. McWilliams smashed a monster home run to straight away center field.

West fights back

The Tennessee pitcher, McWilliams, pitched a gem of a game on Tuesday night. McWilliams went a strong 4.1 pitches, allowing only four hits and three walks while striking out six.

Ryan Oden was McWilliams’ replacement and inherited a runner at first. That proved to be a pitfall for oden as he gave up a two-run home run to the first batter he faced -- Lucas Marujo. This tied evened the game at two.

Both California and Tennessee traded chances to score in the sixth. Tennessee loaded the base as they led off the inning with a double before smacking two singles. Marujo got out of the jam by striking out Simmons and getting Tanner Jones to fly out.

California hit back-to-back singles to put two on with no one out. Ryan Oden managed to get out of the jam to keep the game all square.

Southeast doubles their lead

Tennessee though, finally capitalized on their chances in the next inning. Tyler Jones led off the inning with a blast, hitting a deep home run to center. McWilliams was then hit by a pitch and Ethan Jackson followed suit with a single.

For Tennessee, the inning continued when Robert Carroll drew a walk to load the bases. The merry-go-round started with the following batter with Brock Duffer singled to left to score Jones from third, making it 4-2.

Coming up

The Southeast continues their LLWS play as they take on Johnston, Iowa from the Midwest. That game will take place tomorrow afternoon with first pitch scheduled for 3:00 PM EST.

VAVEL Logo
About the author