SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, PA — For the first time since 2017, Texas is back in the Little League World Series U.S. Championship game. The boys from Needville defeated the Northwest Region Champion from Seattle, Washington, 1-0 on Wednesday, August 23. The Southwest Region Champions remain the only undefeated American team left in the tournament.
A scoreless pitcher's duel forced extra innings before a winner could be decided. Easton Benge and Easton Ondruch combined for 14 strikeouts while only allowing four hits and walking four more. Normally, Little League games consist of six innings. These boys played a full nine like the big leaguers before Texas finally emerged victorious.
Ondruch drove in the go-ahead run on a sac fly to right field in the top of the 9th inning before Texas secured the victory. Washington still had an opportunity to tie or win the game, with runners on second and third in the bottom half of the inning. Texas shortstop Dalyn Martin shut down this comeback attempt with a highlight-reel defensive play up the middle for the final out.
Texas edges out Washington in an extra innings thriller
(Credit: seattletimes.com)
Texas is now 8-0 in the Little League World Series Championship Tournament. Needville went 4-0 in the Regionals and now are 4-0 at Nationals. With the win, Needville will now face either California, Tennessee, or Washington in the national title game on Saturday, August 26.
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