Sports
Petaluma Wallops Opponent in Little League World Series
A grand slam! Back-to-back jacks! A strikeout machine! These kids are for real. Check out the thrilling slide show.
Threatened with elimination three times this week in the Little League World Series, Petaluma National Little League has made it to the U.S. Championship game after an 11-1 blowout of Texas on Thursday night in South Williamsport, Pa.
Petaluma started the offensive explosion in the first inning. After Texas starting pitcher Seth Morrow walked the bases loaded, Porter Slate scored on a wild pitch to put Petaluma up 1-0. Kempton Brandis struck out but reached first base on a wild pitch. Hance Smith then cleared the bases with a grand slam.
Quinton Gago followed him with a solo home run to put Petaluma up 6-0 after the first. Smith homered again in the fourth inning, blasting a solo shot to pad Petaluma’s lead to 7-1 after four.
The six runs were plenty for Petaluma starter Danny Marzo, who allowed just two hits, one walk and struck out 11 in five innings.
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Petaluma scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth to enforce the 10-run mercy rule.
Petaluma will play Tennessee in the U.S. Championship game on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. while Japan will play Latin America in the International Championship at 9:30 a.m. The winners Saturday will play in the Little League World Series Championship on Sunday while the losers will play in the consolation game.
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