WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — The light blue and yellow colors that represent the West Regional champion at the Little League World Series comes with a standard.
Whether California or Hawaii, the perfectly matched colors have become the symbol of excellence. For El Segundo Little League, the expectations are as high as ever with a game against Southwest champion Needville, Texas on Monday at 4 p.m. PT (ESPN2).
El Segundo opened slow in its first game against the Great Lakes representatives from New Albany, Ohio. The kids committed uncharacteristic mistakes and fell behind early. Unfazed by the deficit, El Segundo managed a three-run rally in the third that had people begin to exclaim the West had returned to its usual top form.
It was a brief glimpse before rain struck to cut the second day’s nightcap short, giving El Segundo a 4-3 win over Great Lakes in four innings.
“It seemed like every tournament we’ve had this year the media always put us at the top,” El Segundo Little League manager Danny Boehle said. “I like to hunt. I don’t like to be hunted. I like to play it under the radar a little bit.”
Playing under the radar is difficult for El Segundo, which has outscored opponents 17-6 in its last four games. The West regional champion, having to navigate a bracket with Hawaii, Northern California, and Arizona, will always enter the Little League World Series as one of the favorites.
“Unfortunately for us, the way our guys have played and the resiliency they’ve shown has been the reason why they put us at the top,” Boehle said. “They don’t mind it. They don’t walk around like they are No. 1.”
Monday night El Segundo won’t be able to start slow against the Southwest. The Texas squad has won both its games, including a 2-1 victory over hometown favorite Pennsylvania.
“We’re in a good spot,” Southwest coach Andy McRae said. “We’ve won them both and it has worked out. We have all our pitching.”
El Segundo will likely see DJ Jablonski or Colton Georgi, or a combination of the two. McRae wouldn’t commit to a starting pitcher before Monday.
Jablonski and Georgi combined to give up one run and scatter three hits against the Mid-Atlantic squad on Wednesday night. Jablonski struck out 10 and pitched much of the game for the Southwest.
“Everyone who has been on the mound has been one of our main guys,” McRae said. “The second time out is always easier than the first time. That probably helps at the end of the day.”
The Southwest champs will enter Monday’s game on a nine-game winning streak dating to the Texas state tournament. To say El Segundo’s opponent is clicking might be an understatement.
Friday night, Southwest scratched out a 6-2 victory over the Midwest champs from Fargo, North Dakota. The team connected with just two hits in the game but managed to capitalize off walks and three fielding errors. El Segundo might not be as charitable. The Southern California team also has all its pitchers available.
“Have you seen those California kids?” McRae asked the media during a press conference after the team’s second win. “It is hard to get overconfident. They are some big boys. I do not think we’ll have to worry about overconfidence.”
El Segundo has battled more than just the Great Lakes since beginning the 20-team international tournament.
A stomach virus hit the team as they were being transported to Williamsport. Several players spent time inside the on-site infirmary. All have returned to the team and will be suited up for tonight’s game.
“We don’t have to stress on who is going to be where defensively,” Boehle said of having the full roster at his disposal. “There’s certain rotations we have with certain pitchers. We want them to pitch to contact and we know the defense will be behind them.”
El Segundo committed three errors in the game against Great Lakes. All three came in the first two innings in which Great Lakes scored its three runs. El Segundo went errorless in the West Regional title game, a 3-1 win against Northern California.
El Segundo should be tighter tonight as Boehle will be able to shift players around to fit the pitching matchups.
Offensively, Jaxson Kalish returns to the lineup. He missed last Thursday’s opener due to an illness. He will add a dynamic piece to El Segundo’s lineup.
Boehle has kept his team motivated. They are close. They understand each other and the goal. Their coach also understands the importance of soaking in the entire tournament while attempting to become the best team in the world.
“It gets emotional for me when I think of me playing Little League and my dad coaching me,” Boehle said. “It’s kind of the last time as a father you get to coach your son and other kids who have become adopted sons to me.”