SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Powerful Pearland, Texas, played small ball before Mason Van Noort’s bat gave the Texans a huge boost.
Now the sluggers from the Southwest are headed to the U.S. final of the Little League World Series.
Texas overcame an early four-run deficit with four runs in the sixth, including Van Noort’s tiebreaking blast to left, for a dramatic 7-5 victory Thursday over Auburn, Wash.
“Amazing,” said a smiling 12-year-old Jaron Roblyer, whose homer in the fourth gave Texas its first run. “We’re one of the best two teams in the United States.”
They will play for the U.S. title Saturday against Waipahu, Hawaii, or Columbus, Ga. The teams will have a rematch today after Hawaii’s 7-4 triumph Thursday night.
Pinch-hitter Justice Nakagawa’s three-run homer to right- center in the third gave Hawaii a 5-0 lead and Waipahu staved off elimination. Noah Shackles struck out nine and allowed four hits over five-plus innings.
Kobie Buglioli had two RBIs, and Georgia scored three runs in the sixth before reliever Keolu Ramos ended the game by getting a groundout.
The international final Saturday is already set with unbeatens Japan and Taiwan playing for the right to move on to the World Series championship game Sunday.
For now, the Texans can relax and relish a come-from-behind victory after staying away Wednesday night from the recreation room at the players’ complex to concentrate on their make-or-break game.
“We don’t want to do anything stupid that makes us lose a game or something, stay up too late, or get up too early to go to the rec room,” Roblyer said.
He’s earned a break after the team’s come-from-behind performance.
After moving runners to second and third in the sixth off a couple wild pitches, Texas tied the game off a single and RBI groundout before Van Noort sent a 3-2 pitch over the left-field hedges for a 6-5 lead.
