California and Louisiana were both 3-0, and are set to play each other Monday night. Pennsylvania, 2-1, needed to defeat the host team and hope Louisiana – the team that handed Pennsylvania its only loss – would defeat California Monday night.
At that point Pennsylvania and California would be tied for the second spot in the semi-finals. Since the two teams did not play in the pool round, a tie-breaker system – more than likely based on runs scored or runs allowed – would determine which would advance to the next round.
But before any of this could come into play, Pennsylvania needed to defeat the host team.
The host team, on the other hand, was playing purely for pride. After suffering defeats in its first two games of the series, S.C. District One could only hope to defeat the East and even its record at 2-2 for the week.
Pride turned out to be enough, as District One defeated Pennsylvania 8-2.
District One starter Barrett Phillips pitched and two-thirds innings, earning seven strikeouts as he picked up the win. Sammy Nix came in for the last inning and a third, striking out two of the four batters he faced and picking up the save.
The East took an early lead in the third inning. Nick Keener doubled to start the inning, then reached third base on a sacrifice bunt. Keener scored when Eddie Belton reached base on an error later in the inning.
Pennsylvania’s 1-0 lead did not last long as Harrison Wilkins hit a solo home run for S.C. District One on the first at-bat of the bottom of the third inning.
Hunter Burton reached base on a throwing error, then advanced to second. Heath Burton then bunted for a single, moving his brother to third base. Heath then stole second base. Joey Pankake then doubled, driving in both Burton brothers for two runs.
Pancake moved to third base on a wild pitch, then scored on a ground-out, giving the host team a 4-1 lead after three innings.
Pennsylvania cut into the lead in the top of the sixth inning. Eddie Belton and Colin Kelly each earned walks to start the inning. The runners advanced on a fly out, then Belton scored on a ground-out.
District One padded its lead in the bottom of the sixth. Jaren Sustar and Harrison Wilkins singled. A throwing error allowed Wilkins to advance to second and Sustar to score. Matt Whitworth was hit by a pitch, then Hunter Burton reached base on an error. The error allowed Whitworth to reach third base and Wilkins to score. Heath Burton then reached base on a fielder’s choice play, and Whitworth scored S.C. District One’s seventh run. Heath Burton stole second, then was able to score off a ground-out.
The East was unable to get anything going in the top of the seventh, leaving the host team with an 8-2 victory.
Both teams finish BLWS play with 2-2 records.
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