Connelly's Slam Helps Red Sox Clip Reds in Merrick Little League World Series

Two games were not enough.

The Red Sox battled their way to a 10-9 victory over the Reds Thursday night in game two of the boys juniors Merrick Little League World Series, setting up a deciding game Saturday afternoon.

The Reds won the first game of the series in dominating fashion 18-3, but the Red Sox would not go quietly in game two as they pulled off a four-run comeback in dramatic fashion at Birch School.

Josh Bodden was on the hill at the start of the game for the Red Sox, and went three-plus innings in total. The Reds scratched out three runs in the top of the first inning on three RBI walks by the middle of the order; O'Sullivan, Pellegrino and Bianco, respectively.

Bodden managed to stop the threat by striking out two of the final three batters in the frame, giving his team a chance to get those three runs back heading into the bottom of the first.

Matt Dejesu was the starting pitcher for the Reds, going three innings and striking out one batter on the night. Dejesu was efficient in each inning and kept the Red Sox hitters off balance for the most part. The lone blip came in the second inning when Patrick Connelly came up to bat with the bases loaded for the Red Sox.

The lefty, Connelly tagged a ball over the right field wall, bringing everyone home with a grand slam. Connelly's bomb gave the Red Sox their first lead of the game, 5-4, but it would not be their last.

"Our team got down a little bit, but we persevered," Red Sox Manager Scott Gross said. "Baseball is a long game, you just got to remember that you play seven innings and if you keep your nose to the grindstone, with the good Lord's help, you're certainly going to achieve success."

The Reds played hard throughout the game and bounced right back after Connelly's grand slam. In the top of the fourth inning the Reds scored five runs, two of which came on a Pellegrino single, scoring Ryan Salamo and O'Sullivan. Janicek followed with an RBI double, and Bianco drew his second walk of the night to set up first and third for the Reds.

Gross made a pitching change, bringing in Andrew Hinrichs for the Red Sox. After surrendering walks to the first three batters he faced, Hinrichs retired the next three batters to evade any more trouble. The Reds led 9-5 heading into the bottom of the fourth inning.

"I think we (Reds) did a good job today, they (Red Sox) did a better job," Reds player Ryan Salamo said. "The most we can do is try our best."

The Red Sox scored two runs in each of the next two innings, knotting up the game at nice apiece.  Ryan Mohr hit an RBI double, scoring John Gross to give the Red Sox their ninth run.

"I think we played pretty good today," Mohr said. "(The team had) good hits, good fielding, finally caught the ball."

Michael Jean came into pitch in the fourth inning for the Reds, going three-plus innings in all. Jean struck out four batters in his time on the mound, and started a double play in the sixth inning.

Ryan Kolberg pitched the final two innings for the Red Sox, allowing only one batter to reach base in that time; Pellegrino reached base for the third time with a one out double in the sixth inning.

With the score still tied in the bottom of the seventh, the Red Sox loaded the bases with no outs. Gross lined a single to left field, scoring Timberman from third, and ensuring a third game to decide the championship come Saturday.

"I'm really really proud of the boys," Scott Gross said. "They could've thrown the towel in, but instead they performed like heroes."

The final game of the series is tomorrow at 4 p.m. at Birch.

"I feel good about Saturday." Reds Manager Joe Salamo said. "Our pitching is ready, and we're ready to go."

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