Posted at 10:03 a.m., Sunday, August 26, 2007
Baseball: No-hitter lifts Lubbock to third in LL Series
Associated Press
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — The team from Lubbock, Texas, pitched a no-hitter and won the third-place game at the Little League World Series on Sunday, beating Willemstad, Curacao, 1-0 behind 14 strikeouts by Garret Williams.Williams came within an out of a complete game. He was relieved with two outs in the sixth after reaching the 85-pitch Little League limit.
The 12-year-old left-hander was replaced by Taylor Bridges, who walked the first batter he faced, Jeandimar Ignacia. Vincent Anthonia then reached on an error and the tying run moved into scoring position, but Deion Rosalia popped out to end the game and preserve the combined no-hitter.
"I was pretty mad," Williams said when asked about being pulled. "But I knew that Taylor could come in and shut them down for me."
It was the 16th no-hitter at the World Series since pool play began in 1992.
Williams finished the tournament with 42 strikeouts in 16 innings.
"It's been one of the best summers of my life," Williams said.
Is he ready to go back to school?
"A little bit," he said before adding, "although I'd like to stay here a little bit and play more baseball."
Lubbock scored its only run in the top of the fifth. Walks loaded the bases before Bridges scored on a wild pitch.
Anthonia took the loss. He allowed two hits, struck out 10 and walked five in four-plus innings.
