Breaking News
Little League Extra

Newson’s grand slam propels Texas past Pennsylvania in a rout

By Chris Masse 5 min read

A closer look at 9-0 Bourne, Texas win over Newtown, Pennsylvania, Thursday at Lamade Stadium Stadium.

PLAY OF THE GAME -- Kole Newson’s grand slam: Texas already appeared in control, leading 4-0 in the top of the fifth, but Newson broke the game open in exciting fashion when he walloped a one-out grand slam over the left-center field fence. Newson was ahead in the count 2-1 when he launched a no-doubter as all the Pennsylvania center fielder could do was watch the ball head toward the bushes well beyond the wall. Newson’s grand slam put Texas up 8-0 and highlighted a dominant six-run inning.

TEXAS PLAYER OF THE GAME -- Julian Hurst: It’s hard picking just one player because so many shined in this impressive victory, but Hurst was overpowering on the mound and ignited the offense from his lead-off position. Hurst threw four hitless innings and struck out 10. All but two of the outs Hurst recorded came via strikeout, giving him 20 over his last two appearances against excellent hitting teams. Hurst combined for a two-hit shutout along with Caden Guffey and they collected 14 strikeouts. Hurst also shined offensively, going 3 for 4 with a double and run.

PENNSYLVANIA PLAYER OF THE GAME -- Rocco DaBranzo: The third baseman has hit well throughout the summer and went 1 for 2 against the strong pitching tandem Texas threw at Pennsylvania. He also played good defense at third base.

BIG INNING--Texas fifth: Pennsylvania was hanging in after four innings with Texas leading 4-0. But the Southwest champions unloaded in the fifth and flexed their offensive muscle, crushing two home runs and scoring five times while going ahead, 9-0. No American team had homered throughout the first three Series games, but Texas hit two that inning and three over a two-inning span.

BEST EFFORT--Texas balance: Every player has made his mark during Texas’s run to South Williamsport and that certainly was the case again last night. Eleven of the team’s 12 players reached base and eight combined for 12 hits. Production came from all parts of the lineup and Texas scored at least one run in each inning from the second through the fifth.

FLASHING LEATHER--Pennsylvania left fielder Tyler Wexler wasted little time showing off his defense, coming up two batters into the game. Wexler charged in on a Gray Collins flare into shallow territory, diving face forward and making a spectacular catch which took away a single. It was a clutch play which helped the Mid-Atlantic champions escape the inning without allowing a run following Julian Hurst’s lead-off double. A double play was taken off the board following a replay challenge, but Texas shortstop Jett Matthews still came up huge when he went into the hole and stopped a hard-hit Sav Longo grounder, saving a run in the process when he threw to second baseman Aiden Munoz for a forceout. A batter later, Caden Guffey stranded runners on second and third, collecting his second strikeout. Guffey helped his pitching cause an inning later, reaching near his hip and snaring a rocket of a line drive hit by Gavin Caudill while recording the first out. Pennsylvania right fielder Will Siveter used his head and arm to produce an out in the third inning. Siveter alertly was backing up first when a throw got away and bounced down the right field line. Siveter hustled after it and fired to first baseman Tyler Neeld, cutting down the lead runner after he rounded first. Hurst showed off his defensive prowess in the sixth inning, charging in on a slow roller between the plate, the mound and third base. He bare-handed the ball and made a perfect throw to first which beat Wes Esteves by a step.

HOME RUNS: Guffey became the first American play at the Series this season to hit a home run when he belted the first pitch of the fourth inning over the left-field wall. Guffey scorched the ball and, although, it was a line drive which did not get real high off the ground, there was no doubt it was going over the fence. Guffey’s blast gave Texas a 3-0 lead. Fans did not have to wait long to see the next home run as Newson cleared the bases with his grand slam. Just two batters later, Doc Mongford homered for a second straight game going back to regionals. After hitting a go-ahead grand slam in the final against Louisiana, Mongford belted a towering smash down the left-field line. The only question was whether it would stay fair. That long blast gave Texas a 9-0 advantage.

WHAT IT MEANS--Texas will have three days to get ready for its winner’s bracket semifinal game Monday against the winner of Friday’s Florida-Washington game. The winner of that Monday contest moves on to the winner’s bracket final next Wednesday. Pennsylvania competed in Bristol, Connecticut alongside New England champion New Hampshire. Those teams will now collide Saturday, back at Lamade Stadium in an elimination game.

Starting at /week.