Friday, August 19, 2011
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.