Home runs lifted Livingston Little Leaguers on Saturday to stay alive in the state championship.
The National 9-10 boys had suffered their first loss on Friday night when they faced a strong team from Manasquan/Brielle. Manasquan jumped out to an 8-run lead at the end of three innings but the Nationals fought back to make the game interesting.
In the end, Manasquan held the Nationals off to win the game by the score of 14-9. This meant it was do or die for the Section 2 Champion Nationals in this double-elimination tournament. Another loss and they would be out of the competition.
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On Saturday, July 23, the Nationals played the Section 1 Champion team from Lackawanna. Lackawanna had loss their first game on Friday as well, so with each team suffering a loss, one team was going home and one team would play on.
The Nationals jumped out to an early lead courtesy of a three-run homer by Chris Senney. With runners on second and third and two outs, Senney sent a bomb over the center field fence bringing home Austin and Kacey Chambers. As he was rounding the bases, Senney paused just long enough to point to his grandfather and family in the stands in left field, something he promised to do before the game.
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The next two National runs came later in the game with Joe Cullen on third, Austin Chambers hit a two-run home run giving the Nationals a 5-0 lead.
Lackawanna threatened to make a comeback by scoring two runs late in the game, but Livingston held them off to secure a victory and keep their hopes of a state championship alive.
The Livingston Nationals play again 7 p.m. Monday, July 25, at the North Howell Little League field complex, 360 Okerson Road in Freehold. Let's Go Nationals!
