Max Bear Park, Livermore at the Little League World Series Quarter Final Round.
In what may very well be a preview of tonights Texas Rangers – Oakland Athletics game, Pleasanton, representing California, Faced off against Southwest Champion from Post Oak Texas before a record crowd.
Evan Wolf was the starting pitcher last having pitched a perfect game on Tuesday. After walking lead off batter Jack Thompson, Post Oak Catcher Michael McKean hit a single that resulted in Thompson being thrown out at second. Third up was Blake Fertitta, and then the trouble began. The boys from Texas scored three runs before the bottom of the first.
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Texas Starting Pitcher Blake Fertitta gave up a base hit and a walk to Max Hurley and Hal Laughton, then a double to Mitch Benson. Hurley scored, and by the end of the first inning, the score was 3-1 Texas.
Neither team scored in the second inning, but Pleasanton had a pitching change, putting in Jimmy Hoffman to replace Evan Wolf. In top of the third Texas added a run and saw Mitch McKean steal second base leading to Pleasanton changing pitchers again. With Trevor Wallace on the mound the damage was minimized.
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In the bottom of the third Texas put Ben Vaughan on the mound, but he gave up a single to Right Fielder Nate Lowe and a walk to Max Pepperly. A Triple by Catcher Mitch Benson scored two, and by the end of the third, Pleasanton had tied the game at four a piece.
After a scoreless fourth inning, Texas added a run on an RBI triple by Blake Fertitta and Pleasanton failed to answer in the bottom of that inning.
In the top of the sixth, Trevor Wallace loaded the bases with Texas Runners, but managed to get keep Texas from scoring, but Pleasanton still failed to score by the bottom of the sixth.
In the seventh, Texas added a run with Blake Fertitta stealing home from third base on a wild pitch.
But Pleasanton was not finished. With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Quinn Brennan stole home keeping hope alive for Pleasanton. Last batter up hit a pop fly to Left Field and the game was over. Game time was about two and a half hours.
All in all, this was as exciting as a good Major League Baseball Game. Saturday at 4PM, Pleasanton will face off against the Eastern Regional Champions. These kids gave one heck of a performance and should be very, very proud of what they've achieved. Post Oak Texas moves on to the Semi Final Round which will be played at 4PM on Sunday.
One note, apologies to the players if I spelled your names wrong, had a hard time hearing standing back behind Center Field... but thank you all for a fantastic day at the ballpark!
