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Quick turnaround didn’t hinder Ohio as Great Lakes champions beat Iowa to advance to US championship

By Chris Masse 5 min read

An early wake-up call could not tire Hamilton, Ohio players, nor their energetic bats.

The high-octane kids from Hamilton can catch up on their sleep down the road. They have bigger priorities now.

Like playing for a U.S. championship.

Hamilton continued both winning and raking Thursday morning; scoring four first inning runs, collecting 12 hits and defeating, Davenport, Iowa, 7-1. Walker Osborne threw a brilliant four-hitter and the Great Lakes champions won their fifth straight elimination game in six days, earning a spot against Henderson, Nevada in Saturday's U.S. championship.

"Wow, this is awesome to me. I've been doing this for 43 years. I've hit the peak," Hamilton manager Tim Nichting said. "This is crazy. This is crazy for me. This is crazy for my kids, and I think it's crazy for Hamilton."

Hamilton has reached the U.S. Final for a second straight appearance, after also winning five games at the 2021 Series. This time, it did so after battering Alabama Thursday night, before turning around less than 12 hours following that conclusion to keep the momentum rolling. Nichting is making his fifth coaching appearance at the Series, but this is his deepest run with Hamilton.

What a run it has become. All built upon a simple but effective foundation.

"I make my kids work hard and it isn't like they don't deserve it," Nichting said. "We don't cut them any breaks; they don't get away with anything. We all work hard."

That continued showing when Hamilton scored four runs in the top of the first for a second straight game, setting an immediate tone. It also produced 12 hits for a second straight game, that production coming from seven players. Josiah Infante went 3 for 3 with an RBI and Jack McAdams, Bryson Williams and Finn Dykes also delivered two hits, the second straight game all produced multiple hits.

Infante and McAdams are tied for the Series hits lead with nine.

McAdams gave Hamilton a 1-0 first inning lead after Boone Treadway walked for a Series-record 11th time, and Williams and Infante singled.

Bob Frazier provided the big blow a batter later. The lefty scorched a three-run triple down the right field line and seemingly before all those in attendance could wipe the sleep from their eyes, Hamilton led, 4-0.

Hamilton scored three more times, but that early cushion was more than enough support for Osborne who shined in the biggest game of his young baseball career. Normally a shutdown reliever, Osborne showed he can excel as a clutch starter as well, allowing just a fifth inning run.

Backed by a strong defense, Osborne was efficient and induced weak contact throughout the game. He retired Iowa's last four hitters and closed with his fourth strikeout, pumping his fist in celebration as Hamilton fans rose and applauded this storied league's latest amazing achievement.

"I didn't feel like it was working the first few innings," Osborne said. "Then I got in a rhythm and started feeling good."

"Walker throws strikes," Nichting said. "Walker is a tough dude. He paints the corner and he gets his curveball going, he's a tough guy to hit."

Davenport produced the highest finish by a Midwest team since 2021 and won its first two Series games. It was unable to break through offensively, however, the last two days and was fighting an uphill battle following Hamilton's early eruption.

The sixth team from Davenport to play the Series, this one made history, becoming Davenport Northwest Little League's first to win a game in three appearances. It was not the ending, it hoped for but it sure was a fun ride this summer.

"If you would have told me at the beginning of the year, we would finish third in the United States, and one of six teams remaining at the Little League World Series, I would have said that's crazy," Iowa manager Mark Erwin said. "You always dream of getting here. We thought we had chances to get here but to finish where we did, the boys have nothing to hang their heads on."

Dykes singled and Hudson Vonderheide hit a two-out RBI single, putting Hamilton up, 5-0 in the fifth inning. Iowa did not go away, though, cutting it to 5-1 in the fifth. Logan Chantos dropped a bunt single, Xavier Ludtke singled and Crue Neff hit an RBI fielder's choice.

Caleb Erwin made a diving catch in center field as well, providing Iowa another highlight in a summer filled with them.

"It shows the boys we're not giving up, and they were battling to the end," Erwin said. "That makes you proud as a dad and as a coach."

Hamilton scored two more insurance runs in the sixth inning as four straight runners reached base. Williams produced his fifth hit in two games, igniting that inning with a bunt single.

"I'm really focused on the ball," Williams said a day after earning the win against Alabama. "I've been hitting well in my BP and contributing in the games."

So are his teammates. That continued showing in the sixth as Leo Feltner walked; Infante hit an RBI single and McAdams singled. What some might have thought would be a negative--playing four straight days--has become quite a strength.

It seems like everyone is in a groove and 10 players reached base against Iowa. Hamilton also has scored multiple runs in six of the last 12 games.

Following that 6-5 opening loss against Nevada, Hamilton has heated up at the perfect time. And now they have a second chance.

What an opportunity this team has earned.

"I always thought we were good enough to get here (the Series)," Nichting said. "But to get where we're going right now is crazy."

Starting at /week.