Day four of the Little League World Series 2009 resulted in some teams securing a spot in the semifinals and some teams knowing they will not make it through the first round. Each of the five games on Monday impacted the standings going into the semifinals on Wednesday and determined which team would make the semifinals.
The first game on Monday was between Mexico and Germany. Mexico came into the game with a 1-0 record in the Little League World Series. Germany had lost their first game of the series coming in with a 0-1 record.
Errors were a problem in the first game for Germany and it continued to be a problem in their game against Mexico. Germany committed seven errors on Monday bring their two game total of thirteen errors. Mexico capitalized on Germany’s errors.
Mexico jumped out to a six run lead in the first two innings and added seven more in the fourth to bring their lead to 13-0. Germany could not rally and the game ended after the fourth inning due to the 10-run rule.
With the win Mexico secured its spot in the semifinals. Germany still has one game to play, but they will not make it past the first round. The team from Germany is a true international team. It is comprised of children of US soldiers stationed at the Ramstein Air Force in Germany and the employees on the base.
Monday’s second game was against Venezuela and the Japan team that had a close game against Curacao late Sunday night. This game would turn out to be another close one for Japan.
Shaking off the tough loss against Curacao, Japan jumped out to an early 4-0 lead. Venezuela fought back and tied the game 4 all in the fifth. With a tied ballgame in the sixth inning, Japan’s Toshinori Wakai was hit by a pitch and made it on first base.
Naoto Ogura came up to bat and hit the ball hard past second base and into the center field. Wakai kept going past second and onto third. The throw from center field nicked Wakai’s helmet and went off into foul territory. Wakai proceed to home for the winning run for a final score of 5-4.
Japan is now 2-1 and heading to the semifinals. Venezuela is 0-2 will not make it out of the first round for the 2009 Little League World Series.
Warner Robins, Georgia and Mercer Island, Washington played in the third game on Monday. Warner Robins went into the game unbeaten and Mercer Island went in winless in the 2009 Little League World Series. This game proved to be the toughest one so far for Warner Robins.
Mercer Island’s starting pitcher William Mansfield, held the batters from Warner Robins at bay for five innings. He was relieved in the sixth to a standing ovation from fans of both teams for allowing only six hits and striking out six.
Going into the sixth inning, Mercer Island was ahead 2-1 behind Mansfield’s pitching. Mercer Island’s relief pitcher Brandon Lawler advanced Warner Robins’ Kyle King by hitting him with a pitch. King then advanced to third off of two wild pitches. Jake Farrell was then walked and then was able to steal second.
King on third was the tying run for Warner Robins and Farrell on second was in position to win the game. A passed ball scored King and Farrell made it to third. Another wild pitch allowed Farrell to come in and score the winning run. The final score was Warner Robins 3 and Mercer Island 2.
Warner Robins made it easily into the semifinals. While Mercer Island’s Little League World Series 2009 results was not what they had hoped for; their season is one to be proud of. This was only the fourth season for the Mercer Island League and they made it to round one of the Little League World Series.
Game four was between the teams of Curacao and Saudia Arabia. Curacao was coming off a thrilling but sloppy win over Japan on Sunday night, but entered into this game with a 2-0 record. Saudia Arabia lost their first and only game so far.
Curacao jumped out to an early lead in the first by scoring two runs off of Saudia Arabia errors. Saudia Arabia came back in the fourth inning and took the lead 3-2. Trailing going into the bottom of the fourth, Curacao tied the game three all off of a wild pitch.
Still tied going into the bottom of the fifth, Curacao’s Junters Dossett hit a two-run home run to go-ahead for the eventual 5-3 win. Curacao’s pitcher Jardel Martina led the team with his pitching. Martina struck out eleven batters in only five innings.
Curacao advances to the semifinals; while Saudia Arabia is eliminated.
The final game on Monday may have held the most importance than any of the other games. Both teams went into the game with a 1-1 record and the winner would advance to the semifinal. Those two teams were from Staten Island, New York and Urbandale, Iowa.
For most of the game Staten Island was in control behind pitcher Michael Rapaglia’s pitching. He pitched into the fifth inning before being relieved and Rapaglia stuck out seven batters holding Urbandale scoreless.
Staten Island held a 4-0 lead going into the sixth inning. They proceeded to add four more runs bringing the score to 8-0. Urbandale made a last minute rally during the bottom of the sixth inning, but came up short with the final score 8-3.
The Little League World Series 2009 results on Monday were ecstatic for some of the teams and heart-breaking for others. With the win, Staten Island is secured a spot in the semifinals. They were one of the teams that were feeling ecstatic.
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