BANGOR, Maine – The U.S. Central regional champion Clear Ridge L.L. from Chicago scored six runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to come from behind and beat the Asia-Pacific regional champion Southern Mariners L.L. from Melbourne, Australia, 13-8, in the second day of games at the 2016 Senior League World Series at Mansfield Stadium.
Clear Ridge L.L. entered the bottom of the fourth inning trailing the Australia team, 7-2. Right fielder Noah Miller led off the inning for the team from Chicago by reaching base on an error. The next pitch hit catcher Mike Rios, and a double steal put two runners in scoring position for second baseman Mike Skoraczewski, who put a bunt single down the third base line, scoring Miller. Joe Trezek followed that with an RBI single to center field. A ground out from starting pitcher Gage Olszak scored Skoraczewski, putting Clear Ridge L.L. within three runs of the Southern Mariners L.L.
Southern Mariners L.L. added a run to their lead in the top of the fifth on an RBI single from Rydge Hogan.
Paulo Zavala led off the bottom of the fifth inning with a single to left field for Clear Ridge L.L. Miller followed Zavala with a double to right field to put two runners in scoring position. Rios then hit an infield single that scored Zavala and moved Miller to third.
Rios stole second base, and Miller ran home on the throw from Australian catcher Ciaran Palmer, bringing Clear Ridge L.L. within two runs of the Southern Mariners L.L.
Trezek walked with one out and left fielder Zach Verta singled to load the bases for the team from Chicago. Olszak followed Verta with a two RBI single to left-center field to put Clear Ridge L.L. on top of Southern Mariners L.L., 9-8.
“I had two rough at bats before that and a rough inning before on the mound,” said Olszak. “I just had everyone behind me when I went up to the plate and had a good mindset, and I think that’s what provoked a positive outcome.”
Clear Ridge L.L. added two more runs in the fifth on a two RBI single from Zavala, his second hit of the inning, making the score 11-8.
“They’re not quitters. They’re not going to let anything affect them,” said Clear Ridge L.L. manager Mark Robinson.
“They know what it’s like to lose, and they didn’t like the feeling,” added Robinson.
Zavala took over for Olszak on the mound in the top of the fourth inning and shut down the offense of the Southern Mariners L.L., a team that had outscored their opponents 82-5 in the regional tournament. Zavala allowed two runs on five hits in four innings while striking out one.
“I was just trying to let them put the ball in play and let my defense help me out,” said Zavala.
Olszak allowed five hits and struck out one in the first three innings for Clear Ridge L.L.
“We had them chasing us, and then they got a little bit of momentum back and they just steamrolled with it,” said Southern Mariners L.L. coach Brendan Wilson. “We dropped our heads a little bit.”
“That loss is now going to build our character. The experience was fantastic and the boys will learn a lot from it,” added Wilson.
Jackson Boyd started for Southern Mariners L.L., throwing 87 pitches over four innings. The 16-year-old right-hander allowed five runs on five hits and six walks while recording two strikeouts.
Jai Lyttleton took over on the mound in the fifth inning, but could only get one out before being replaced by Hogan. Jordan Bartlett took over for Hogan in the sixth inning, striking out one batter.
Southern Mariners L.L. took the five run fourth inning lead when a number of Clear Ridge L.L. errors and singles from Joshua Meyer, Jayson Arthur and John-Paul Callil allowed the Australians to score six runs.
“It’s going to happen. They’re human beings. They’re going to make mistakes,” said Robinson. “As long as they don’t dwell on it, I don’t have a problem with it.”
Southern Mariners L.L. will play an elimination game at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday against the winner of game eight between the U.S. Southwest regional champion Capitol Park L.L. from San Antonio, Texas, and the U.S. East regional champion Clifton American/National L.L. from Clifton, New Jersey. Game eight is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. on Monday.
“First loss as a team hurts, but this tournament’s not over. We can win this tournament still,” said Wills.
“Every game is a high pressure playoff game. You’ve got to win to stay in,” added Wills.
Capitol Park L.L. lost to Maine District 3 champion Bronco-Hermon L.L., 9-8, on Sunday. Clifton American/National L.L. lost to U.S. Southeast regional champion Dumfries District L.L. from Dumfries, Virginia, on Sunday, 4-3.
Clear Ridge L.L. will play Latin America regional champion Roberto Clemente L.L. from Carolina, Puerto Rico, at 5 p.m. on Tuesday. Roberto Clemente L.L. shut out Kiwanis National L.L. from Regina, Saskatchewan, 8-0, on Sunday.
