Boerne in LLWS Southwest Regionals

[regaleagle]

Welp......looks like Boerne's team has advanced in their first two games of the Southwest Regionals in this year's Little League World Series playoffs.  They have some very big guys on that team for Little League age......but I"m not sure about the hitting or pitching of this team so far.  I just got a look at them against New Orleans the other day, but went back to watching the Olympics.  They have won their first two games in this regional.....defeating a 2-0 New Orleans team in the process.  They play their next game out of the winners bracket on Tues.

[regaleagle]

Boerne defeated that New Orleans team again in the final 6-3 today in Waco to punch their ticket to this year's LLWS.  They were the first team to punch a ticket for the end of summer classic.....which means they breezed thru with no losses.  That New Orleans team was a good Little League baseball team and could have advanced in most regionals.  Just watching some of the games in the other regions.....I'd say Boerne is the best team I have seen so far.  They will be a legitimate contender to win the whole enchilada.  They have the pitching, the hitters, and the good defense, and some good-looking athletic ball players on their squad.  Didn't really see any weaknesses in this Boerne team.  They loaded the bases with 3 consecutive singles......clean singles.  And then the next guy up hit the grand salami on a good fastball on the first pitch. The Boerne hitters do attack the ball at the plate......they go up there swinging and not looking.  Good ball club......congrats to their Coaching Staff.  I was impressed!

They were behind 3-0 in the 2nd and it didn't matter......they played their game and put the whack attack on a very good N.O. team.  The N.O. team lost both of their games to Boerne in this double-elimination format.

[regaleagle]

Looks like Southwest Region Champion Boerne Little League has drawn the Mid-Atlantic Region Champion Council Rock Newtown Little League from Newtown, Penn. for the Thurs. night Prime-Time game.  The game will be televised on ESPN starting at 6 PM Central in Lamade Stadium.  All games will be televised by ESPN.

[regaleagle]

The 2024 Little League World Series begins on Wednesday Aug.14th at 12 Noon Central on ESPN.  That game will feature the Caribbean Region against the Mexico Region in the International Bracket.

[regaleagle]

Looks like today's pitcher for Mexico is throwing some good heat.  He's not particularly big or tall......just an average skinny 12 y.o. kid with some pop. Mexico is leading 1-0 in the top of the 3rd against Aruba.  The Aruba batters can't seem to catch up to the speed, so some are trying to bunt their way on.....or to draw a walk.

[regaleagle]

The Aruba pitcher is a bigger kid than the Mexico pitcher, and he has a good fastball as well.....but he has trouble with control.  He's a good-sized lefty and also throws a winding curve ball.....but the Mexico batters are threatening each inning with a hit here, a walk there.....they are getting some runners on base. I'd say this game favors Mexico with their pitcher......but it's still up in the air for either team.  A couple good defensive plays so far by both teams.

[regaleagle]

Uh-oh.....the Aruba pitcher hit a batter to load the bases with 2 outs, then hit the next batter again to walk in a run for Mexico. Bases still loaded w/2 outs.  

[regaleagle]

A stellar defensive play by the 2nd baseman on what looked like a sure hit in the hole close to the 2nd base bag.  He stabbed it deep, twirled and made a good throw to first to get the final out.

[regaleagle]

Top of the 5th now as Aruba comes to bat.....with Mexico leading 2-0.  That pitcher for Mexico now has 12 K's and 8 in a row.  He has some serious upside with his heat, his overall form, and being able to consistently hit the corners with a very impressive moving fastball. 

[regaleagle]

That's 5 no-hit innings for Guerrero from Mexico.  He allowed a walk and a groundout to end the inning. Mexico coming to bat.

[regaleagle]

Two fly-outs to the shortstop and one groundout to the first baseman on 4 total pitches ends the bottom of the 5th.  Aruba needs to score 2 runs this inning to stay alive in this opening game of the LLWS.  They really haven't been able to get any good contact off Guerrero of Mexico.....if any at all.

[regaleagle]

Wow.....that guy hit it hard right back to Guerrero on the mound.  A line shot that Guerrero snagged for the out.....almost in self defense.

[regaleagle]

A No-hitter for Mexico to open the LLWS with a big win against Aruba.....Mexico wins 2-0.  Now onto the US Bracket opening game New Hampshire vs Hawaii.

[regaleagle]

Hawaii won the West Regional this season.....they must have a pretty good team to beat those Calif. teams.  And I guess New Hampshire is the winner of the New England Regional.

Edited August 14 by regaleagle

[regaleagle]

Hawaii leads 3-0 after one and strands the bases loaded.  IF this is the best pitcher for New Hampshire, it might be a loong day for the New England Region representative.  He was basically mixing a hittable curve ball with a medium fast ball that the Hawaii hitters had no problem hitting.  I look for Hawaii to extend their lead against this New Hampshire team......which looks rather "weak" so far.

[regaleagle]

On the other hand.....that lanky lefty pitching for Hawaii has some good stuff.  He can throw strikes with some good heat and movement.  Has a good delivery as well.  Not quite the heat as the Mexico pitcher.....but enough to get strike outs.  He ain't no slouch for sure.

[regaleagle]

Now after the top of the 2nd, they are rolling out a tarp on the field.  Haven't seen any rainfall yet, but maybe they are under a weather alert.  It looks kinda dark and overcast.....not sunny at all.

Edited August 14 by regaleagle

[regaleagle]

They just showed the radar......some pop-up showers in the area coming over the ballpark.

[regaleagle]

Hawaii won, then Taipei won against Canada, and then a very good game with Florida winning 2-1 against South Dakota.  Both teams looked good.....Florida had better pitching and hitting, but South Dakota had just an excellent defensive effort to keep it tight.

[regaleagle]

Okay so Boerne is leading Pennsylvania Mid Atlantic in the top of the 5th 3-0 with the bases loaded and no outs.  They do take their hacks at the plate.  Now a walk gives Boerne another run and the bases are still loaded.  Looks like Penn is in real trouble here......time to change pitchers.

Edited August 16 by regaleagle

[regaleagle]

Tapper back to the mound gets a force at home for the first out. A literal gift out.....it was a check swing.  Now here comes the pitching change with 1 out and the bases loaded. He's a lefty.

Edited August 16 by regaleagle

[regaleagle]

There goes the grand salami.......on the 3rd pitch from the lefty.  8-0 Boerne Texas now.  Still only one out....next batter up.  The first homer by Boerne was a solo shot.....never a doubt.  It was a line drive that easily cleared the left field fence.  Now here goes another one right down the line....he lifted it deep in left field......that was a long and high solo shot.

Edited August 16 by regaleagle

[regaleagle]

Geez......I guess the Boerne batters are getting warmed up now, Huh?   Okay.....end of the top half of the 5th and Boerne leads 9-zip. The nightmare for Penn has just materialized.

[regaleagle]

3 strikeouts in a row and quick work by the Boerne pitcher in the bottom of the 5th.  Boerne up for their last bat now.

[regaleagle]

Believe it or not......Boerne loaded the bases again, but one guy struck out and the last guy grounded a chopper to short.  The first out was a fly ball out to right field.  There were 2 clean singles and a walk to load them up.

Edited August 16 by regaleagle