By BRETT R. CROSSLEY
WILLIAMSPORT–The first crossover consolation game of the 2016 Little League World Series featured Oregon and Italy at Lamade Stadium.
The Northwest scored the first six runs of the game and received outstanding performances on the mound from Isaiah Jenson and Julian Mora to down Italy 6-2 at the 2016 Little League World Series in Williamsport.
Julian Mora, who came on to pitch in the fourth, made an outstanding play in the second, streaking across the infield and beating the runner to first for the inning’s second out. It was part of a 1-2-3 top of the second for Oregon.
After a strong first two games, Zack Reynolds displayed his arm strength getting Samuele Gamernini as he headed to second base after a fourth inning single. The play was reviewed, but the call stood for the first out of the inning. The inning then ended one a 6-4-3 double play.
Italy recorded two singles to open the fourth. It was the first two hits it logged as Jenson carried a no-hitter through the first three innings.
Blaine Causey got Oregon on the board in the second inning after a lead off double and passed ball helped him score from third. Evan Ullman reached on a single and advanced to second on an error, but was stranded when Filippo Laghi recored back-to-back strikeouts to end the inning.
The Northwest kept the momentum rolling in the top of the 3rd as Jensen struck out the side.
The Northwest scored on an error, wild pitch, and single in the fourth to push its advantage to 5-0 over Italy.
Ullman reached on an error and Caleb Carpenter came on as a special pinch-runner to score on a passed ball. A Mora single helped score Chase Terry, who reached on a walk. An RBI triple from Nelson scored the inning’s fourth run. Reynolds then hit the inning’s second triple for another run.
Italy scored it first run after the Oregon issued its first walk of the game. It’s second run came in the sixth, but it was too late as a ground to second ended the game.
Northwest 6, Italy 2
ITAL 000 011-2 5 3
NW 010 50X-6 9 1
Filippo Laghi, Leonardo Zamernardi (3), Elia Sartini (3), Francesco Segreto (3), Alessandro Ercolani (5), and Samuele Gamerbini. Isaiah Jensen, Julian Mora (5), Aaron Platner (6), Chase Terry (6), and Braeden Intlekofer.
WP: Jensen. LP: Laghi.
Top Italy hitters: Samuele Gamberini 2-3, run. Top Northwest hitters: Bowen Nelson 1-3, 3B, run, RBI.
Records: Italy 0-3. Northwest 1-2.
