[Little League] Richmond Team One Win From Williamsport

Lamar Little League made it two years in a row a few years back. I posted a thread about it then, because this was the league I played in, but this time around it is bittersweet. My 12 year old brother would have been the next player added (says those in the know for the league), had the team taken another, so it is kind of sad watching him try to act happy for the team he was snubbed from. Nonetheless, this is an awesome achievement for those kids, and you should all turn to ESPN2 at 8pm on Thursday to watch them try and make it.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5925532.html

Richmond makes Little League's Waco final
Team's just one win away from series in Williamsport
By GARY MARTIN Special to the Chronicle
Aug. 5, 2008, 6:45PM

WACO — Lamar American Little League was held to just one hit Tuesday afternoon.

But one hit was all the team from Richmond needed to advance to the Southwest Regional title game and a shot at the Little League World Series.

Nate Bertness's RBI double drove in the only run as Lamar American rode solid pitching and a stunning double play to end the game to defeat the Lubbock Southwest All-stars 1-0 in a regional semifinal at Norcross Stadium.

The win sets up a showdown between Lamar American and Louisiana state champion South Lake Charles in Thursday night's title game. It's set for a 7 p.m. broadcast on ESPN with the winner heading to the international series in South Williamsport, Pa.

"I guess that was the only one we needed," said Lamar American manager Mike Bertness. "We got it at the right time with the runner in scoring position. With one swing of the bat, it could have gone either way and this time it went our way."

Lamar American was stifled by Lubbock Southwest ace Travon Benton, who struck out nine in four-plus innings.

But in the third, Benton walked leadoff batter Carlos Elizondo. Stone Garrett bunted pinch runner Grant Page to second and wild pitch got Page to third.

Nate Bertness, who was the hitting star in Saturday's win over Ocean Springs, Miss., drove a 3-1 pitch to right-center field for a double, scoring Page.

Lubbock Southwest wasted four opportunities to score, stranded 10 runners and loaded the bases three times.

The final time came in the top of the sixth. With one out, Lamar American reliever Reid Garrett forced Michael Davis (2-for-4) to line to center.

Nate Bertness made the catch and threw behind the Lubbock Southwest runner at second for the force that ended the game.

In Lamar's last five postseason games, the only team to score more than a run off its pitchers has been Eastdale Little League of Albuquerque, N.M., which lost 12-8 on Friday.