Kentucky Falls 8-5 to Ohio, Eliminated from LLWS Contention
In a rematch from Sunday’s contest, Kentucky took on Ohio in the Little League World Series on Tuesday in Whitestown, Indiana. The two teams are a part of the Great Lakes Region of the tournament, but only one advanced to the championship round.
Representing Kentucky was the Lexington Eastern Little League team. Coming into the battle against Ohio’s New Albany, Kentucky’s record was 1-1 after losing to Ohio in game one on Sunday and narrowly pulling off a 7-6 win over Indiana on Monday afternoon. Another win would have sent Kentucky into the championship round set for Wednesday, where a shot at competing in the Little League World Series would be in play. Unfortunately, there will be no trip to Williamsport for the boys in blue.
After holding Ohio to no runs in the top of the first, Kentucky was able to bring in two runs and take a 2-0 lead heading into the third. But Ohio picked up the pace in the top of the third and took a quick 3-2 lead, never looking back.
The bottom of the third was unsuccessful for Lexington Eastern, and the score remained 3-2 going into the fourth. Ohio’s momentum continued to ramp up from there as they were able to knock five runs in to take a large 8-2 lead. After finally finding their last out in the top of the inning, Kentucky was able to take some of the momenta back and cut the deficit down to just three at 8-5. However, it was too little, too late.
Too Big a Hole to Dig Out
Kentucky could not make up for their deficit in the bottom of the fifth after getting one on base, and an Ohio double play sent Lexington Eastern back to playing defense. Kentucky’s defense then shined in the sixth with a quick three up, three down to get right back on offense with one more inning to go. But with only one out remaining between Ohio and the top of the seventh, lightning sent both teams to the dugout for a lengthy weather delay.
Following the rain, the game resumed, but Kentucky could not get over the hump that Ohio had created in the fourth, falling by the final score of 8-5. The loss knocked Kentucky out of the tournament while Ohio will go on to face Illinois for the championship of the Great Lakes Region on Wednesday to see who moves on to the Little League World Series.
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