Naamans Little League exploded for 11 runs in the 5th inning to defeat Berlin, Maryland 12-4 to stay alive in the Little League Mid-Atlantic Regional.
James Grugan gave the Delaware champions a 1-0 lead in the 4th inning with a 2-out RBI single to center field scoring Declan Soares.
BRISTOL Ct.- Delaware defeated Berlin 12-4 in an elimination game of the Little League Mid-Atlantic regional tournament.
(VIDEO | Highlights of Naamans’ victory)
Maryland responded with a four-run 5th inning, but then Delaware’s offense exploded on both sides of a rain delay.
After an opening strikeout, the next six batters all reached base, including three straight bases loaded walks to Will Santora, Joey DeCaro, and Robert Heisler to tie the game.
After a fielder’s choice, Matthew Hauber drew another bases-loaded walk to put Naamans up 5-4.
Naamans then connected with six-straight singles to blow the game open.
James Grugan’s RBI single was followed by a 2-run version from Kole Dzwilewski. Taj Amobi then had his own RBI single, while Charles Puit singled to load the bases.
Paul DeDonato’s two-run single was backed up by another RBI single from Brady Winkelspecht to finish off the 11-run inning, as 16 batters came to the plate.
Jason Pontari picked up the win on the mound, as he had four scoreless innings surrounding the four-run Berlin 4th, he collected seven strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings before hitting the 85-pitch limit.
Naamans advances to the second semifinal game, where they will face the loser of Tuesday’s Washington, D.C. vs. West Chester, Pennsylvania game on Thursday at 3 p.m. (ESPN).
The winner of that game will face the DC/Pennsylvania winner for the right to go to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania has won the last four Mid-Atlantic Championships.