MOT 50/70 Al Stars Kai Johnson collected three hits in three at-bats, scored twice and had 3 RBI’s with the pencil bat in the win over PA. Photo by Nick Halliday
(Dover, DE) The MOT all stars broke open a close game with six runs in the 5th inning to advance to the Eastern Region championship in Little League’s intermediate division. MOT held a 3-0 lead in the winner’s bracket final over Pennsylvania until the bottom four in the lineup ignited a furious rally.
A-J Nichols led off with a walk, stole second on a pick-off attempt, then swiped third before scoring on a triple to left field off the “pencil” bat of Cole Clark. Charlie Koch drew a walk, and Dylan Andrews singled – turning over the lineup to leadoff hitter Miles Clark, who was hit-by-pitch. All three of them would score as Kai Johnson ripped a 2-rbi single to give MOT a 9-0 advantage. MOT added two runs in the top of the 6th frame when Kevon Koerner and A-Y Markiewicz both walked and scored to set up the p
ossible “run-rule” 10-run advantage after 5 innings.
MOT starting pitcher Mason Guth was stellar on the mound, allowing just one Pennsylvania batter to reach base (walk) through four innings of work. He carried a no-hitter into the bottom of the 6th before allowing 2 hits and a walk to load the bases. Nathan Collins took over in relief and struck out the final two batters to preserve the shutout and send the MOT team into Thursday’s title game.
The MOT all stars scored 2-out single runs in the first, third and fourth innings. In the opening inning, Jordyn Brown brought Kai Johnson home as both recorded 2-out hits. In the third, Johnson’s double scored Miles Clark, and in the 4th, Kevin Koerner “knocked-in” Mason Guth with his 2-out single. Kai Johnson collected three hits in three at-bats, scored twice and had 3 RBI’s to lead the offense.
Pennsylvania will play Wednesday afternoon in the loser’s bracket final against the winner of Massachusetts versus New Jersey . Those two play the opener Wednesday morning. The tournament is being played at Dover Little League, located behind Schutte Park. The champion advances to the world series beginning July 28 in Livermore, California, south-west of San Francisco.
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