Hagerstown's Little League World Series run comes to end in loss to Pennsylvania

Wilson Moore, Indianapolis Star
·2 min read
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In retrospect, the hour and 39-minute rain delay was a merciful extension of Hagerstown’s time at the Little League World Series.

Five batters after returning from inclement weather, Indiana’s representative was eliminated from the tournament as Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania scored four runs in the bottom of the fourth to run-rule Hagerstown in a 10-0 win. The final three came around on a two-out, bases-loaded double from Tyler McGough.

Little League World Series:Hagerstown can't continue late-inning magic in loss to Tennessee

Even before the delay, Hagerstown put itself into a difficult position. A run scored on a wiffed tag in the second inning, and two errors on one play jump started a Hollidaysburg rally in the third.

Hagerstown, Ind.'s Jaykob Troutwine (10) reacts during the sixth inning of a baseball game against Nolensville, Tenn., at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Monday, Aug. 22, 2022.
Hagerstown, Ind.'s Jaykob Troutwine (10) reacts during the sixth inning of a baseball game against Nolensville, Tenn., at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Monday, Aug. 22, 2022.

Cleaner play in the field wouldn’t have made enough of a difference, though. Hollidaysburg starter Braden Hatch pumped the zone with strikes — 39 of his 50 pitches were in the zone —  and punched out seven while allowing no runs and three  hits in his four innings. He struck out the side in what ended up being his final inning of the day. Hollidaysburg will now play the winner of Pearland, Texas and Davenport, Iowa in the championship on the American side of the bracket.

Hagerstown’s best scoring opportunity came in the first inning. The second batter of the game, catcher Kaden Hall, went the opposite way for a triple to right field, but was stranded after a strikeout and a groundout ended the inning. Indiana only got three more on base the rest of the game.

Hollidaysburg struck in the first inning when two-hole hitter Chase Link launched a homer to left field, his third of the tournament. Pennsylvania added another run in the frame against Hagerstown starting pitcher Graham Vinson with a walk and three singles. The inning ended when Jacob Boob was cut down trying to score from second on an RBI single.

Pennsylvania added another in the second inning, but, like in the first, failed to add to the lead, leaving the bases loaded.

The loss for Hagerstown ended what had been a Cinderella run to Williamsport. The team representing the town of fewer than 2,000 people in eastern Indiana made it through the Great Lakes region and walked off Iowa in a comeback win Aug. 18.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Little League World Series: Hagerstown's run come to an end