Little League World Series Regionals 2015: Scores and Bracket Results from Day 8
South Carolina and Texas became the first United States teams to clinch spots in the 2015 Little League World Series. Friday is a slower day, as no teams can clinch berths, but there are four elimination games that will set up title matchups Saturday.
In fact, every game happening Friday will see at least one team eliminated. The 12 teams in action have earned the opportunity to represent their state and region on the biggest stage Little League has to offer, but the end of regional week leaves a lot of young players heartbroken.
The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat is never more evident than during the Little League World Series. Having the tearful dichotomy expressed by the various players speaks to the nature of sports. Everyone will be at the top of their games trying to make a statement, but only six will walk away happy.
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Scores
| New England | Connecticut vs. Rhode Island | Rhode Island def. Connecticut, 3-2 |
| Midwest | Missouri vs. South Dakota | Missouri def. South Dakota, 13-2 |
| Northwest | Idaho vs. Washington | Idaho def. Washington, 8-7 |
| Great Lakes | Ohio vs. Kentucky | Kentucky def. Ohio, 4-3 |
| Mid-Atlantic | New York vs. Maryland | Maryland def. New York, 15-8 |
| West | Hawaii vs. Utah | Hawaii def. Utah, 15-0 |
Recap
Maryland def. New York, 15-8
Maryland scored in every inning and put up 15 total runs in an impressive victory over New York to secure a spot in an elimination game against New Jersey on Saturday for the right to play Pennsylvania in the title game.
New York tried to fight back after falling behind 11-1 after three innings, putting up seven runs over the final three innings. It wasn't an easy win for Maryland, despite the high run total, as the team needed to use six pitchers who issued nine walks in six innings.
Dylan Pasta had a game to remember for Maryland, going 3-for-3 with two walks, two home runs, three RBI and five runs scored. Gavin Roystruat added another home run for the kids from Maryland, and cleanup hitter Gabe Rincon went 3-for-4 with two runs scored.
Maryland played New Jersey on Tuesday, with the Garden State team getting a 7-4 win. New Jersey is also coming off a 13-2 loss against Pennsylvania, so momentum should be in Maryland's favor on Saturday.
Kentucky def. Ohio, 4-3
The dramatics came out at the Great Lakes Regional, as Kentucky scored all four of its runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to get a 4-3 win over Ohio to earn a matchup against Wisconsin in the title game on Saturday.
It was a spectacular turnaround for Kentucky because starter Devin Fath had given up just two hits over the first five innings. Eli Burwash kicked off the scoring for Kentucky with a solo homer to make it a 3-1 game.
Kentucky did get help, as Ohio pitchers walked three and had a passed ball in the decisive inning with the game-winning run coming on a bases-loaded walk.
Pitching was strong on both sides. Even when Kentucky was down, Carson Kelley and Devin Obee combined for eight strikeouts in six innings.
Ohio's run comes to an end in devastating fashion. It had done well in one-run games prior to today, winning each of its previous three games in the Great Lakes regional by a total of three runs.
Kentucky will have its hands full on Saturday as Wisconsin already defeated this team on Thursday by a final score of 10-0.
Idaho def. Washington, 8-7
A controversial ending happened in the Northwest Regional, as Idaho got an 8-7 win over Washington to set up a showdown with Oregon in Saturday's title game.
However, the way Idaho won is going to be discussed. An error by third baseman Danny May with the bases loaded and two outs led to a run scoring for Washington. Mason Hill advanced to third on the play, but the umpires called an out after the third-base coach touched Hill on his way to scoring the tying run.
Even though the rule is in place and the coach has to know better, it's devastating to see a team's chances of reaching the Little League World Series come to an end like that.
Prior to that mental gaffe, this was one of the day's most entertaining games. Idaho used a six-run top of the third to take a 6-1 lead, but Washington fought back with three runs in the third and two in the fourth to tie the game.
Just when it seemed like momentum was in Washington's favor, Idaho got two runs in the fifth thanks to a wild pitch and an error.
Neither team pounded the ball, as they combined for three extra-base hits (all doubles), but they were opportunistic when runners got on base.
While the circumstances around the win may not be ideal, Idaho will get a quick turnaround against a strong Oregon team that's scored at least 10 runs in all three regional games thus far. Idaho hasn't been slouches with the bats, scoring 26 runs in two games before Friday.
Expect to see a lot of runs scored when these two potent lineups take the field on Saturday for the right to earn a spot in Williamsport.
Missouri def. South Dakota, 13-2
Missouri used three big innings to knock off South Dakota by a final score of 13-2 to reach the Midwest Regional championship game on Saturday against Minnesota.
After a scoreless first inning, Missouri got five runs off South Dakota starter Jake Hafner. Unlike some of the blowout wins in regionals thus far, Missouri didn't get a lot of extra-base hits. It used a methodical and timely approach to wear down South Dakota.
Of Missouri's 10 hits, only one went for extra bases. The 13 runs were plenty for starting pitcher Devrin Weathers, who tossed a complete game with four hits allowed and nine strikeouts in five innings.
Cole Gayman was the hitting star for Missouri, going 3-for-4 with one double, three RBI and one run scored.
Missouri has been able to right the ship after a 3-2 loss against Nebraska in the first game of the Midwest Regional. It's won three consecutive games, including avenging the loss against Nebraska, and has outscored its opponents by a 39-9 margin.
Minnesota won't be intimidated by those numbers, as its offense has put up 26 runs in two games, so expect a slugfest in the title game in Indianapolis.
Rhode Island def. Connecticut, 3-2
David Marchetti hit a walk-off solo home run, his second of the game, in the bottom of the seventh inning for Rhode Island, sending his team into Saturday's elimination game against Vermont.
There was a brief moment of controversy after Marchetti's blast over the left-field wall caromed off of a pole just beyond the fence and bounced back into play. The umpires originally called it a double before gathering together to make the correct call.
Marchetti's heroics were fitting for a game that was full of drama throughout the previous seven innings. The two teams traded single runs in the first frame, Connecticut took a 2-1 lead in the top of the second, and Rhode Island answered with Marchetti's first homer of the game.
Rhode Island missed a golden opportunity, as Connecticut got out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam to force extra innings.
Connecticut's offense was mostly held in check, as all seven of its hits were singles, and it left two runners on base in the top of the seventh inning.
Starting pitcher Dylan Demers was tremendous for Rhode Island, tossing 5.1 innings of two-run ball with seven strikeouts and no walks. It's a brutal way for a team to end its tournament run, though the kids couldn't have picked a better way to go out.
New Hampshire has been the best team in the New England Regional, already securing a spot in the title game on Sunday. Rhode Island was able to avenge its only loss with this win and is two steps away from securing a spot in Williamsport.
Hawaii def. Utah, 15-0
Hawaii needed just four innings to dispatch Utah Friday night as it poured on four runs in the first inning to set the tone for a 15-0 rout.
The Hawaiian Little Leaguers proceeded to tack on five runs in the second inning and six more in the third inning while allowing just two hits.
Hunter Sasaki shouldered the offensive load for Hawaii with a 3-for-4 showing that included a home run and six RBI. Braxton Hickman and Tanner Truman were the only Utah players who recorded hits for Utah, as they solved a tough Hawaii pitching staff that boasted Joshua Reis, Trey Apana-Purcell and Charles Winchester.
Reis drew the start but was pulled after two innings thanks to his team's comfortable 9-0 cushion.
With the win, Hawaii advanced to face Southern California in the West Regional final Saturday night at 9 p.m. ET.
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