Little League World Series 2015: Saturday Schedule, Bracket After Day 1 Results
Action at the Little League World Series reaches the critical stage, as four teams will be eliminated from championship consideration after Saturday's games.
All eight teams that lost on Friday will be back in action on Saturday, and the teams that lose for a second day in a row will see their championship dreams disappear. However, they will still compete in consolation games.
| International Teams | |
| Team | Record |
| Africa-Europe, Uganda | 1-0 |
| Latin America, Venezuela | 1-0 |
| Mexico, Seguro Social League | 1-0 |
| Japan, Tokyo | 1-0 |
| Caribbean, Dominican Republic | 0-1 |
| Australia, Cronulla | 0-1 |
| Canada, British Columbia | 0-1 |
| Asia-Pacific, Chinese Taipei | 0-1 |
| U.S. Teams | |
| Team | |
| Southwest, Pearland West (Texas) | 1-0 |
| West, Sweetwater Valley (California) | 1-0 |
| Southeast, Northwood (South Carolina) | 1-0 |
| Mid-Atlantic, Red Land (Pennsylvania) | 1-0 |
| Northwest, Wilshire-Riverside (Oregon) | 0-1 |
| Great Lakes, Bowling Green (Kentucky) | 0-1 |
| New England, Cranston Western (Rhode Island) | 0-1 |
| Midwest, Webb City (Missouri) | 0-1 |
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On the competition's international side, the Dominican Republic, representing the Caribbean Region, will meet Sydney's Australian Little League representative at Volunteer Stadium. The game is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET, and ESPN will broadcast it.
The Dominican Republic dropped a 4-1 decision to surprising Uganda, winner of the Africa-Europe Region. Ugandan pitcher Francis Alemo allowed just one hit in four innings and struck out seven. Dominican pitcher Yanel Arias struck out 13 batters in 4.2 innings, but he allowed two runs and was the losing pitcher. SportsCenter noted Uganda's win:
"Game 1 of the LLWS is in the books! Uganda defeats Dominican Republic, 4-1. pic.twitter.com/1LbtgHBmZY
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 21, 2015"
The Australian team dropped a 5-2 game to Venezuela, as the Sydney team had a hard time getting the bats going. Kyle Yeo got the Australians going early with a first-inning single, but the offense sputtered after that. Pitcher Blake Cavill was solid for the Australians, as he gave up just two runs and struck out 10 of the Cardenales hitters.
Canada dropped a 1-0 decision to Mexico and will meet Chinese Taipei, the Asia-Pacific Region's representative.
Matthew Wilkinson was spectacular for British Columbia's Canadian representatives, as he struck out 16 batters and did not give up a run. However, the Canadians were unable to solve the Mexican pitchers. They fell when Daniel Zargoza singled in the winning run in the bottom of the sixth. Sportsnet highlighted Wilkinson pitching stat:
"Matthew Wilkinson strikes out 16 in 5 innings (!) at #LLWS, but Canada falls to Mexico http://t.co/v7aSEd6zx6 pic.twitter.com/HO0CQeGx2F
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 21, 2015"
Chinese Taipei struggled against Japan and will try to put that 7-5 loss to the Candians behind them. Yen Cheng Yu hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning for Chinese Taipei, but it was not enough to get past the Japanese team. Kengo Tomita hit two home runs to lead Japan.
| International Bracket | ||||
| Team | Opponent | Time (ET) | Stadium | TV |
| Australia | Caribbean | 1 p.m. | Volunteer | ESPN |
| Canada | Chinese Taipei | 8 p.m. | Volunteer | ESPN |
| International Bracket | Team | |||
| Team | Opponent | Time (ET) | Stadium | TV |
| Northwest | Great Lakes | 3 p.m. | Lamade | ABC |
| New England | Midwest | 8 p.m. | Lamade | ESPN |
On the American side of the draw, powerful Wilshire-Riverside, Oregon dropped a 1-0 decision to Pearland West, the Southwest Regional representative from Texas. Many expected the Northwest Regional winner to continue to mash the baseball, but pitcher Jarrett Tadlock was in top form as he gave up just one hit.
The Texans scored the only run of the game on Isaac Garcia's fourth-inning home run. Wilshire-Riverside pitcher Dylan McLean struck out 12, but the Oregon teams could not figure out Tadlock.
While Oregon's big hitters were shut down, their counterparts from Sweetwater Valley, California, were not. The Far West Regional representatives scored a 14-2 triumph over Bowling Green, Kentucky, the Great Lakes Regional champion.
Sweetwater Valley scored 11 runs in an explosive fourth inning, as Dante Schmid, Antonio Andrade, Nate Nankil, Nick Maldonado, Levi Mendez, and Walker Lannom all homered. Great Lakes pitcher Eli Burwash was tagged with the loss. Baseball Tonight described California's performance as "crushing the ball":
"California is CRUSHING the ball. They now have 6 HRs and lead Kentucky 14-0 in the 3rd inning of the 2015 #LLWS. pic.twitter.com/sKrkPorUZn
— Baseball Tonight (@BBTN) August 21, 2015"
Great Lakes will try to contain Wilshire-Riverside on Saturday to remain in championship contention.
Cranston Western of Rhode Island will be forced to pick up a victory Saturday against Midwest Regional champion Webb City, Missouri, if it is going to have a chance to win the Little League World Series title.
The New England champions were no-hit by Northwood, South Carolina, pitcher Alex Edmondson and dropped a 7-1 decision to the Southeast Regional champions.
Edmondson struck out 15 batters and walked one. Dylan Demers took the loss for the Rhode Island team.
Webb City, Missouri, dropped an 18-0 decision to Red Land of Pennsylvania. Cole Wagner led the powerful winners with two home runs and five RBI.
All scores and information courtesy of the Little League Baseball World Series.
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