Not many kids get to play in the annual Little League World Series. So, when the lucky players get a shot, every one of them dreams of having the type of performance that Ryan Harlost had for Mid-Atlantic on Thursday afternoon. Harlost went 3-3, falling a single shy of the cycle while scattering three hits over five shutout innings on the mound, pioneering his squad into the winner's bracket with a 7-2 victory over New England. Jude Abbadessa chipped in two hits and two RBI for the first round winners. Dominic Brazeau picked up two hits for New England, who will have to battle through the loser's bracket to advance through the tournament.
Mid-Atlantic jumps all over New England
After New England had a runner cut down at third base to end the first inning, Mid-Atlantic took advantage of the wasted opportunity to jump all over the New England champions. Two singles brought up Harlost, who smashed a monster home run high over the left field wall for a 3-0 Mid-Atlantic lead. It was all they would get that inning, but the New Yorkers were far from finished. With runners on the corners and two outs in the second inning, Abbadessa sliced a two-run single to left field to expand the lead to 5-0. Harlost, who already had a lead that was more than enough given the way he was pitching, added a little extra with a booming RBI triple for a 6-0 lead, which was more than enough for Harlost. The New York champions tacked on an extra run in the fourth to bring their run total to their final tally of seven.
Harlost dominates New England
After the mini-scoring chance in the first inning, New England could do virtually nothing against Harlost, who didn't allow another baserunner until the fourth inning. He only struck out five batters, but the whiffs were timely, including one after a one-out double in the fourth inning that nullified the scoring threat. With runners on the corners and two outs in the fifth inning, his final inning of work, Harlost got the third out by inducing three straight swinging strikes.
New England got their only offense of the game after Harlost left the mound, scoring two runs on a single off the bat of Sean Gallagher in the sixth inning. However, it was far too little and far too late for New England, who will play the loser of tonight's game between the Northwest and the Southwest. Mid-Atlantic gets the winner of that game.