This means that Maine-Endwell will take on South Korea in the Little League World Series Championship Sunday at 3 p.m. He also scored in the fourth inning.
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The Little League World Series has been dominated in recent years by teams outside of the United States: Either Japan or South Korea had won each of the last four tournaments.
The last win for a NY team was 1964 when the Mid-Island Little League of Staten Island defeated Obispado Little League of Monterrey, Mexico.
Although he gave up a two-run homer that halved his team’s lead late in the US final, righty Jude Abbadessa will likely get the call for NY. Harlost scored the deciding run on a passed ball a batter later.
South Korea struck back with a solo home run from Yoomin Lee in the fifth inning, but the global victor was unable to rally further.
But things got dicey in the top of the fifth when Yoomin Lee lined a pinch-hit solo homer, cutting New York’s lead to 2-1. McWilliams blast halved New Yorks lead, but Abbadessa struck out Carson Rucker to end the game.
“Hearing my name sort of gives me confidence and just how loud it is just gives me even more confidence”, Abbadessa said.
Jon Luke Simmons broke up Mancinis no-hit bid in the top of the fifth. Harlost followed with a base hit to right, and when the cut-off man threw late to third, he advanced to second.
Carlos Gonzalez got Panama started in the inning with a two-run homer to center.
Jeong struck out nine and Harlost eight. The final score was 2-4.
The game was neck-and-neck until the final out, but M-E was able to answer every challenge that South Korea put in front of them.
Immediately after his team’s win, manager Heesu Ji hinted that he and his players wouldn’t put much stock into the US final result.
Harlost turned toward his dugout on the first-base side but didn’t make it there as his teammates rushed out to dogpile on him near the base line.
“They’re a big team”, Rush said.
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Lefty pitcher Wontae Cho then sent down the NY team in order in the fifth to keep the pressure on heading into the final inning.
