Jon Gerardi on Little League: Those at Volunteer saw exciting game between Mexico, Puerto Rico
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When the Little League World Series rolls around, it means my colleagues and I will be working every day of the Series to provide exclusive content and coverage of the biggest event in Pennsylvania every summer.
And, while I was off on Saturday, I still found myself with my wife and her friend at the World Series complex to relax and enjoy a game without that pesky deadline pressure.
And boy oh boy did we get a great one to watch.
If you were at the complex on Saturday and were within the confines of Volunteer Stadium, you were treated to one exciting contest between Mexico and Puerto Rico.
I've lived in the Williamsport area for essentially my entire life, and I came to the Series when I was younger like most kids did with family or friends to watch games -- and sometimes slide down the hill -- although I have to say I don't think I ever saw an offensive display like I did on Saturday in person at a game.
If you were also at Volunteer Stadium, you know what I'm referring to: five total home runs, including a huge grand slam, all in one game. Oh, and some outstanding fans from both Mexico and Puerto Rico providing one great atmosphere.
When Puerto Rico took a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning, some fans may have thought the momentum had shifted completely away. But baseball's a funny game and all you need is one inning to spark your players and get your fans excited.
Mexico did just that in the top of the fifth inning.
Two hit batters and a walk loaded the bases and after a pitching change, it was Iker Castaneda who crushed a grand slam over the left-centerfield fence to tie the game at 4-4 and put life back into Mexico.
Mexico would then score twice more for its first lead of the game thanks to Gregorio Madrid.
And what a day Madrid finished with as he ended by belting two home runs at Volunteer Stadium, the second of which put an emphatic 11th run on the board and all but sealed the game against Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico saw two home runs by Sebastian Casanova Diaz and Azariel Alvarado Medina.
Only at the Little League World Series can you have such excitement watching a game played by kids, and that's what the Series is all about.
Yes, Mexico defeated Puerto Rico on Saturday, 11-5, and eliminated Puerto Rico from title contention. But Saturday's game, no matter the outcome, provided every fan in Volunteer Stadium with a lot of excitement and something to talk about afterwards.
And here's thinking there will still be a lot more awesome games and moments before next Sunday rolls around for the World Series final.
Jon Gerardi is the sports editor at the Sun-Gazette. He can be reached by email at jgerardi@sungazette.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JonGerardi.