Little League World Series Results: Walla Walla Bats Silent In Loss

WALLA WALLA, WA — The Walla Walla Valley Little League team, representing the Northwest region in the Little League World Series, lost to the West regional champs in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Rancho Santa Margarita, of California, defeated Walla Walla 9-0 Friday after brilliant performances from brothers Joey and Bobby Gray. Joey Gray finished the day with two hits, five RBIs and a walk, while Bobby Gray scored a run of his own and tossed 5 1/3 innings, allowing just one hit and striking out seven batters.

Walla Walla's Caiden Thomsen struck out six batters over four innings, but gave up eight runs, all earned, on four walks and six hits.

Rancho Santa Margarita moves on to play Sunday at 11 a.m. (Pacific) time against the winner of Friday night's contest between the Midwest and the Southeast. Walla Walla will play Saturday at 8 p.m. against the loser of the Friday night game. Both will air on ESPN.

Recap below:

In the bottom of the first inning, Santa Margarita's Joey Gray blasted a grand slam into the crowd in right field off Walla Walla pitcher Thomsen, who had allowed two walks and a double previously in the inning. (For more information on the team and other stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

In the bottom of the third inning, Thomsen walked a batter and allowed a single to Joey Gray, scoring Drew Rutter on the play.

Walla Walla threatened in the fifth inning when Jack Lesko walked and later advanced to 2nd on a passed ball. The team was unable to capitalize though.

In the top of the sixth inning, Walla Walla's Andrew Hall broke up Bobby Gray's no-hitter with a one-out base-knock to right-center field.

Keegan Weston followed that up with a four-pitch walk off Bryan Ramirez, who came in to relieve Bobby Gray, and put runners on first and second bases. After striking out the next batter, Ramirez plunked Landon Welter to load the bases. Unfortunately the team stranded all three runners on a pop out to shortstop.

For more more about the Walla Walla tea click here. For more about the Santa Margarita click here.

Other teams in the tournament include:
U.S. Teams

• New England defeats Mid-Atlantic 7-6
• Southwest defeats Great Lakes 5-1
• West defeats Northwest 9-0
• Southeast vs. Midwest, 8 p.m. (ESPN, WatchESPN)

International Tournament Teams

• Latin American defeats Mexico 4-1
• Canada defeats Europe 12-2
• Japan defeats Australia 8-0
• Asia-Pacific vs. Caribbean, 8 p.m. (ESPNU, WatchESPN)

You can track the tournament at the Little League World Series and print your own bracket.

Photos courtesy of Little League Baseball and Softball