Little League World Series 2016: South Korea vs. New York Title Predictions
Endwell, New York, has had a wonderful run in the Little League World Series. The Mid-Atlantic representative has reeled off a 4-0 record in winning the United States Little League Championship.
Endwell clinched its half of the bracket with an impressive 4-2 victory Saturday over Goodlettsville, Tennessee, the Southeast regional representative.
While the Mid-Atlantic representatives have done everything right since arriving in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, they face their toughest task Sunday, when they play Asia-Pacific representative South Korea.
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That team avenged its only loss in the Little League World Series when it overpowered Panama 7-2 in the International bracket's championship game.
South Korea has played in the Little League World Series title game three times, and it must get past the Mid-Atlantic representatives if it is going to stretch that record to 4-0.
South Korea rode the strong pitching of Youbin Choi, who threw a complete game and gave up just six hits in the victory. The Asia-Pacific champions got home runs from Seum Kwon, Wontae Cho and Jaekyeong Kim, and those blasts allowed them to keep the Latin American representatives in check.
Kwon has hit three home runs during South Korea's run in the tournament.
| Mid-Atlantic (U.S.) vs South Korea (International) | 3 p.m. | ABC | South Korea |
| Southeast (U.S.) vs. Latin America (International | 10 a.m. | ESPN | Southeast |
Choi struck out 14 hitters and was solid at the plate, with two hits in three at bats.
The New York team received a remarkable pitching effort from Michael Mancini, who struck out 11 and gave up just one hit in 4.2 innings.
After Mancini reached his 85-pitch limit, Jude Abbadessa came on in relief and got the final four outs of the game.
While Abbadessa gave up a two-run homer to Zach McWilliams with two outs in the top of the sixth, the game was never in doubt.
McWilliams has hammered four home runs in the Little League World Series. He will have another chance to add to that total Sunday, when Goodlettsville meets Panama in the consolation game.
The New Yorkers broke open a scoreless game in the bottom of the fourth inning. The rally started with back-to-back walks by Ryan Harlost and Conner Rush off Tennessee starter Brock Duffer. Jack Hopko, James Fellows and Billy Dundon followed with run-scoring hits.
Tennessee coach Joey Hale was impressed with Mancini's command on the mound.
"He doesn't make mistakes," Hale told Jeff Reinhart of PennLive. "He's truly polished. Most kids at this age have a good breaking ball, but they don't always throw them where they're supposed to. He hardly ever left one up, making his breaking ball harder to hit."
Prediction
The U.S. representatives have been quite consistent during their Williamsport run, but Endwell may not be prepared for the power and pitching of the South Koreans.
Kwon is an explosive power hitter, and he has made the most of his time on the big stage. It will be difficult for the American team to hold him in check.
Look for the relentless South Koreans to get the best of Endwell and make it four championships in four appearances in the Little League World Series title game.
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