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Stella Weaver makes history as Tennessee defeats Nevada

By Chris Masse 4 min read

A closer look at the 2-1 Nolensville, Tennessee win over Henderson, Nevada. Tuesday at Lamade Stadium

PLAY OF THE GAME– Stella Weaver making history: Weaver tied the Little League World Series record for hits in a tournament when she ripped a two-out, fifth inning single. Weaver tied the record set by Canda's Katie Reyes at the 2009 Series with three. She broke the record for hits by an American girl at the Series.

TENNESSEE PLAYER OF THE GAME — Lucas McCauley: On a day when Tennessee was hoping it could preserve some pitchers moving forward, McCauley delivered the game of his life and threw a dazzling two-hit masterpiece. McCauley was mostly untouchable and produced more than 20 swings and misses while throwing a two-hitter with 12 strikeouts. McCauley walked none, retired the first 12 batters he faced and took a perfect game into the fifth inning. Only one of the two hits he allowed left the infield. He pounded the strike zone, overpowered a team which had scored 20 runs in its last two wins and fanned seven of the first nine batters he faced. McCauley also delivered one of the game's biggest hits, scorching a two-out RBI single which scored Jace Barney and gave Tennessee a 1-0 lead.

NEVADA PLAYER OF THE GAME — Nolan Gifford: Gifford did everything possible to help Nevada keep moving forward. The hard-throwing right-hander pitched a five-hitter and held Tennessee to its fewest hits in three Series games. He also struck out six and surrendered just six hits in two strong Series starts. Gifford was big with the bat throughout the Series and went 1 for 2 with an RBI, hitting a fifth inning RBI single to make it, 2-1. Gifford finished the Series 4 for 8 with two home runs and four RBIs.

BIG INNING–Tennessee fifth: The Southeast champions led 1-0 when Weaver made her historic hit a huge on in how this game played out. Weaver ignited a two-out rally with nobody on base, using her speed to help produce the second run. Weaver sprinted from first to third a batter later when Gideon Shepler and that allowed her to score on a wild pitch. That run made the difference as Tennessee won this nailbiter.

BEST EFFORT–Tennessee's two-out thunder: Had it not been for Tennessee's two-out rallies, McCauley's gem might have been wasted. Both runs came with two outs. Barney ignited the fourth inning one with a lead-off double before McCauley came through. Weaver and Shepler then kept the timely hits coming in the fifth.

FLASHING LEATHER–Nevada shut down a potential Tennessee threat in the first inning as it turned an inning-ending double play. Shortstop David Edwards made a clean stop and throw to second baseman JoeJoe Carque who quickly turned and made a snap throw to first baseman Jaxson McMullin and completed the key play. Carque came up big with his glove again in the fourth inning. This time, he went low with a runner on third and caught a wicked, sinking line drive hit by Nash Carter.

WHAT THE ADULTS SAY– "I love Henderson, I love Las Vegas and I love Nevada," Nevada manager Ryan Gifford said. "I'm very proud of these boys and how they've represented that state and I'm grateful for what the citizens of the state have done for us."

"This team has had its backs against the wall before and we know what it's like to overcome adversity. The team came through," Tennessee manager Randy Huth said. "Our team is special because we don't rely on one person. We don't rely on one big bat or one big arm. It's just truly a team effort and you saw that today."

WHAT THE KIDS SAY– "I knew I had the perfect game going but I wasn't going to say anything to jinx it," McCauley said. "One of my teammates jinxed it but it's all good. We got the win, so it doesn't matter. That's the best game I've ever pitched in my life. It's not even close."

WHAT IT MEANS–After reaching the U.S. Final last year, Nolensville, Tennessee is back in the Final 4 and will play the winner of Wednesday night's Rhode Island-California game which ended after press time. The team from Henderson capped a super season, becoming just the second team from its state to reach the Series. Nevada also won two games and finished among the world's top 12 teams this summer.

Starting at /week.