A look at the top United States players to keep an eye on
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As the Delaware player hit a slow roller down the third-base line, it appeared like a sure infield single which would load the bases and create a tense situation.
Ryan Donnelly had other ideas. The West Chester, Pennsylvania pitcher sprinted off the mound and headed into no-man's land with the ball being on the line and between the mound, home and third base. Donnelly slid, made a terrific bare-handed stop and a perfect, laser throw. First baseman Dillon DiGiulio stretched as far as he could and completed spectacular play sent East Side Little League to the Little League World Series.
Take away that highlight-reel play and Delaware has the go-ahead runners on base. Instead West Chester won, 3-1.
Look across the world and one has seen plays usually reserved for the Major League like that occur all summer. And now plays like those will be made on Little League's grandest stage as the Little League World Series opens today. With that in mind, the following is a look at 10 U.S. players to watch who are coming off fantastic regional tournaments as the world's best showcase their talents.
URIJAH BERKLITE, ALABAMA: Providing a rock of production in the middle of the lineup, Berklite shines while either clearing and/or setting the table. The five-tool player dominated the opposition at the Southeast Region, hitting .636, while producing at least one hit in all four games. He also put together two multi-hit performances, tripled, drove in six runs and scored six times. Berklite collected RBIs in all four wins, while displaying his speed and stealing four bases. He swiped home on a double steal in the Southeast championship and made no errors at regionals. Berklite also threw 4 1/3 shutout innings two days earlier against Tennessee, striking out six
CASE GRECO, TEXAS: The Boerne clean-up hitter literally was perfect over his team's final three Southwest games. Greco went 6 for 6, belting a triple and double along the way. The fast-moving center fielder ignited Boerne following an opening loss to previous champion Richmond, Texas, scoring three runs in a 10-0 win against Mississippi before delivering two hits in a 3-2 rematch win against Richmond. Greco highlighted his surge by hitting a double, walking and scoring a first-inning run as Boerne captured the title with its victory against Louisiana. Greco did not make an error and also stole a base. An all-around threat, Greco also allowed just a hit in 2 2/3 innings pitched, striking out two.
FRANKIE MCCABE, WASHINGTON: The player they call "Frank the Tank," emptied his in San Bernardino while helping Soundview Little League reach its first Series. The big lefty shut down a powerful Idaho lineup in the Northwest Regional final, striking out 10 in 8 1/3 innings while allowing just two hits. It was the latest gem from a pitcher who struck out 17 in 8 1/3 innings at regionals. A consistent hitter as well, McCabe hit safely in all four games, while collecting multiple hit performances in consecutive elimination wins. He added a double, a walk and scored three times. McCabe possesses quality speed as well and stole a base. He made no errors and helped Washington score 16 runs over its final two wins.
DOMINICK MOMBELEUR, MASSACHUSETTS: Mombeleur showed exactly why many call him "The Dominator," at the New England Regional. The powerful right-hander overwhelmed opponents, going 2-0, being a part of two shutouts and allowing just two hits in 9 1/3 innings. Mombeleur struck out a regional-high 26 batters, including 14 in an 8-0 championship win against Maine. Mombeleur is a dual threat, showcasing similar dynamic offensive ability. He hit .600 at regionals and homered in each of his first two games at Bristol. Mombeleur also walked three times, compiling a .778 on-base percentage, while stealing a base. He did not strike out and drove in four runs in additon to scoring six times. Mombeleur beat out a two-out infield single which ignited an early tone-setting rally against Maine as well.
ISAAC RAMIREZ, CALIFORNIA: The sweet-swinging left fielder wore out pitchers at the West Regional, hitting .750 and producing three straight two-hit games. Ramirez also scored twice each game, drew a walk and came up huge in the championship win against Hawaii. There, he went 2 for 2 with four RBIs. Ramirez also has good wheels and stole a base in an opening win against Northern California. Ramirez is as dangerous on the mound as he is at the plate. Taking the ball in the winner's bracket final against Hawaii, Ramirez shut down a potent lineup. He threw a one-hit shutout and mowed through Hawaii on 92 pitches. Ramirez struck out five, let his defense work and forms a potent tandem with fellow ace Noah Kirk.
MASON RINCON, NEW JERSEY: o feared was Rincon at the Metro Regional that Connecticut intentionally walked him three times in the final. That included while holding a 4-0 first inning lead with one out and one on and in the fifth inning when it opted to put the go-ahead runner on base. Rincon created that anxiety the first two games when he crushed a home run and slammed a double. Those were the only two times he could swing, drawing seven walks and reaching base in all nine plate appearances. Also a splendid center fielder with a hose of an arm, Rincon made his biggest impact on the mound last Friday. There, he entered on a relief show, throwing four perfect innings and striking out eight as New Jersey rallied for an 8-6 win. Rincon fanned the first six batters he faced and was calm under fire. He was 1-0 with a save in Bristol, allowing just one hit and striking out 13 in 7 2/3 innings.
COOPER THIESSEN, IOWA: A dominant left-hander coming to South Williamsport, Thissen made news not when he struck so many batters out at the Midwest Regionals, but when someone actually made contact. So dominant was Thissen that only four players did so in Indianapolis. Thissen struck out a U.S. Regional-best 27 batters in 9 2/3 brilliant innings, allowing no earned runs and just two hits. He throws hard, but also effectively moves the ball and hits his spots. Thissen struck out 11 and 13 in both his starts while also fanning the side to close out a winner's bracket final game against Missouri. Oh yeah, Thissen can hit, too. The team's lead-off hitter reached base in all four games, producing a .538 on-base percentage. Fast and powerful, Thissen homered, scored seven times, drove in three and made no errors.
BOONE TREADWAY, OHIO: Treadway produced a virtuoso pitching performance which would make Greg Maddux smile at the Great Lakes Regional championship, throwing a one-hit shutout and striking out nine. Masterfully mixing and locating his pitches, Treadway cruised through a Kentucky team one day removed from scoring eight runs, throwing 48 of 62 pitches for strikes. He was untouchable in nine innings at Indianapolis, allowing just that one hit in nine innings, while fanning 15. Treadway excels defensively and offensively as well, making no errors in 13 chances and hitting .364. He hit safely in the last three Ohio wins, adding a home run, triple, double and six runs. Treadway also scored six times, including in all four game.
JACE WARD, NEVADA: A versatile left fielder, Ward reached base in all but two of his eight plate appearances at the Mountain Regional, helping Nevada remain undefeated this summer. A consistent presence in the middle of Nevada's lineup, Ward hit .600, reached base multiple times in all three games. He also went 2 for 3 in a championship win against Montana. Ward led the team at regionals with four RBIs and and he also scored two runs. Ward often was in the middle of most Nevada rallies as the Mountain champions built a 9-0 lead in the final. He did not get a lot of outfield action in San Bernardino, but Ward made catches on both balls hit his way and is at the heart of a deep lineup.
COLE WARNER, PENNSYLVANIA: Continuing the dominant pitching theme, Warner overwhelmed opponents at the Mid-Atlantic Regional, going 2-0 and striking out 17 in 9 2/3 innings. A hard thrower who puts good movement on his pitches, Warner scattered five hits over 9 2/3 impressive innings against runner-up Delaware. Opponents also hit just .147 against him. Teams seemed to pitch around Warner at regionals, and he drew four walks, including at least one in every game. It makes sense why pitchers were cautious around Warner because he homered in a 10-0 win against Washington, D.C. Warner drove in two runs and scored three times. He also is an excellent center fielder and possesses good range and a strong arm.