Montana wins first at LL World Series

Associated Press

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.

The boys from Billings keep making Montana Little League history.

The first team from the state to advance to South Williamsport overcame a shaky start and three solo homers by the sluggers from Rapid City, S.D., to win its Little League World Series debut, 6-4.

Connor Kieckbusch and his teammates were understandably a little anxious when they first trotted on to the manicured field at Lamade Stadium, with about 11,000 fans watching their every move.

Those nerves disappeared after a five-run fourth inning highlighted by Kieckbusch’s two-run single and Cole McKenzie’s two-RBI double with two outs.

“I felt kind of nervous [initially] because we’re in Williamsport and pretty much nationals, and I didn’t know what to expect,” said the red-freckled Kieckbusch, 12, as he flashed a slight grin. “As the game went on, I kind of relaxed.”

Mexicali, Mexico, shut out Kaoshiung, Taiwan, 3-0 in the series’ first game Thursday behind a two-hitter by flame-throwing righty Jorge Jacobo. He’s just 12, too.

Hamamatsu City, Japan, beat Oranjestad, Aruba, 12-1, but the game had added meaning for the Japan squad after a survivor of this year’s earthquake and tsunami threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

“I told the kids that they should appreciate that they are here to play a game,” manager Akihiro Suzuki said through translator Kotaro Omori. “It should teach them to keep working hard and that it’s only a sport.”

Lafayette, La., shut out Warner Robins, Ga., 2-0 in an entertaining nightcap featuring solid pitching and good fielding by each squad. Both towns have previously sent teams to South Williamsport.

In contrast, no one from Billings — let alone, Montana — had ever set foot on the picturesque Little League complex for a World Series game until Thursday.

Montana trailed 2-0 after two innings before breaking through in the fourth against South Dakota starter Brett Beyer, working deep into counts to get runners on base.