MARK NANCE Stella Weaver flashes a smile after a fan cheered her on as she warms up with the Nolensville , TN team before their game against Seattle, WA for their second round in the Little League World Series at Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport, Pa on Monday August 21, 2023.
A closer look at the 6-2 Seattle, Washington win over Nolensville, Tennessee, Monday at Lamade Stadium
PLAY OF THE GAME — Washington’s timely double play: Tennessee had scored two third inning runs and cut a 5-0 deficit to 5-2. It had the heart of the lineup coming up as well, but Washington stifled the momentum and was never threatened again. Ty McKenzie II hit a hard grounder to shortstop Larson Eng which brought in a run, but Eng made a quick throw to first for the first out. First baseman Owen Luke then fired over to Taylor at third who applied a quick tag on a runner trying to advance and ended the inning. Tennessee constantly put pressure on Washington those first three innings, but could get nothing going following this crucial play.
WASHINGTON PLAYER OF THE GAME — Larson Eng: The versatile 12-year-old did a bit of everything to help Washington win. And he did everything exceptionally well. Eng made some super plays at shortstop, went 1 for 2 with a run and delivered a brilliant pitching performance. Eng made some key defensive plays which helped swing momentum before throwing 2 1/3 perfect innings of relief.
TENNESSEE PLAYER OF THE GAME — Gideon Shepler: The last player in Tennessee’s lineup continued to show that this team has threats throughout the order. Shepler went 1 for 2 and only an outstanding play kept him from going 2 for 2. Shepler ignited Tennessee’s lone run-scoring rally when he scorched a double to open the third inning.
BIG INNING–Washington second: Washington took control when it scored five times in the bottom of the second and went ahead, 5-0. The Northwest champions did most of their damage with two outs, producing four runs against a team which had allowed two runs in its three previous games. Larson Eng and Nathan Erlichman ignited the rally with lead-off singles and Rylan Jackson drew an RBI walk for the game’s first run. Sam Santos kept the inning, going with a clutch two-out RBI single.
BEST EFFORT–Trey Kirchoff’s Houdini acts: The Washington ace did not have his best stuff, but he was tremendous when the pressure was highest. Tennessee loaded the bases with no outs in the first inning. It had second and third with no outs in the second inning. And yet, Kirchoff did not let them score in either inning. Kirchoff keeping Tennessee off the board in those situations was a huge game-changer. Both times he thundered back and retired the side in order when it looked like Tennessee was about to do some serious damage. He went 3 2/3 innings and will be eligible to pitch again Thursday if necessary.
FLASHING LEATHER–Brett Taylor, who missed half the regular season with a broken wrist, made one of the game’s best and most key plays to close the first inning. Tennessee had the bases loaded with two outs when Jackson Tabor hit a slow roller on the infield grass toward third base. Taylor charged after the ball, scooped it up with his bare hand, then made a spectacular throw across his body which hit first baseman Matthew Fischer chest-high and denied Tennessee any runs. Tennessee second baseman returned the favor to Washington in the bottom of the inning and took a hit from Trey Kirchoff. Blalock raced left, deep into the hole and made a stop of a grounder on the right-field grass. He then was able to balance himself and make a snap throw to Jackson Tabor at first base to beat Kirchoff by a step. Rylan Jackson closed the game in style, going against the left field wall and catching Lucas McCauley’s deep drive.
WHAT THE ADULTS SAY–“Brett has been nothing short of awesome at third base for us,” Washington manager Christian Shewey said. “He’s been a defensive mainstay over there.”
“We’re not going to give up, I can tell you that. We’re not going to quit playing,” Tennessee manager Randy Huth said. “We’re going to try and give everything we’ve got until the very last pitch is thrown. I can guarantee that. I can’t guarantee a win, but I can guarantee we’re not going to quit.”
WHAT THE KIDS SAY–“It was really big because I got really nervous when they started all started to get on base,” Kirchoff said about the first two innings. “I just had to clear my head, take a deep breath and just do me.”
MARK NANCE Stella Weaver warms up with the Nolensville , TN team before their game against Seattle, WA for their second round in the Little League World Series at Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport, Pa on Monday August 21, 2023.
WHAT IT MEANS–Washington is guaranteed a top-3 national finish and advances to Wednesday’s winner’s bracket final to play the winner of Monday night’s California-Texas game. This will be Washington’s first top three U.S finish since 2010. Tennessee is back in action Tuesday afternoon when it faces Nevada in an elimination game.
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Northwest Manager Christian Shewey celebrate their 6-2 win over Southeast Monday afternoon.
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Northwest's Sam Santos and catcher NAthan Ehrlichman celebrate their 6-2 win over Southeast Monday afternoon.
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Southeast's Turner blalock is tagged out at third base by Northwest third baseman Brett Taylor in the third inning at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, PA on Monday August 21, 2023.
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Southeast's Gideon Shepler is safe at third base as Northwest third baseman Brett Taylor fields the ball in the third inning at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, PA on Monday August 21, 2023.
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Southeast's Turner Blalock celebrates after an overthrow at first base leading to a double in the third inning at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, PA on Monday August 21, 2023.
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Southeast pitcher Lucas McCauley gives a fist bump to Northwest's Calvin Shumway after hitting him with a pitch in the second inning at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, PA on Monday August 21, 2023.
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Northwest's Calvin Shumway scores as Southeast pitcher Lucas McCauley waits for the throw on a passed pitch in the second inning at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, PA on Monday August 21, 2023.
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Southeast's Kale McCarty is tagged out by Northwest catcherNathan Ehrlichman on a Corbin Cyphers single in the second inning of the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, PA on Monday August 21, 2023.
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Southeast catcher Corbin Cyphers prepares to throw to first base after a force on Northwest's Nathan Ehrlichman in the second inning at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, PA on Monday August 21, 2023.
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Southeast's Lucas McCauley celebrates after hitting a single in the first inning in their game against the Northwest in the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, PA on Monday August 21, 2023.
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