Endwell, N.Y.'s Michael Mancini, right, and Jude Abbadessa celebrate after winning the United States championship baseball game against Goodlettsville, Tenn. at the Little League World Series, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016, in South Williamsport, Pa. Endwell, N.Y. won 4-2 and is scheduled to play South Korea in the World Series tomorrow.
Associated Press
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - Michael Mancini led Endwell, New York, to the Little League World Series championship game Saturday, striking out 11 in a 4-2 victory over Goodlettsville, Tennessee, in the U.S. final.
The Mid-Atlantic champs will try to win their first title against international winner South Korea on Sunday. South Korea beat Panama 7-2 earlier Saturday in the international final.
Mancini allowed just one hit through 4 2/3 innings. Billy Dundon drove in two runs, and Jack Hopko and James Fellows each had an RBI.
Jon Luke Simmons broke up Mancini's no-hit bid in the top of the fifth.
Down to his team's last out, Zach McWilliams gave Tennessee life with a two-run homer off Jude Abbadessa in the top of the sixth. McWilliams' blast halved New York's lead, but Abbadessa struck out Carson Rucker to end the game.
Endwell, N.Y.'s Michael Mancini, top, celebrates with teammate Jude Abbadessa (3) after getting the final out of the United States championship baseball game against Goodlettsville, Tenn. at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa., Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016. New York won 4-2. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Endwell, N.Y.'s Michael Mancini, left, celebrates with catcher Connor Rush after getting the final out of the United States championship baseball game against Goodlettsville, Tenn. at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa., Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016. New York won 4-2. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Endwell, N.Y.'s Michael Mancini, right, and Jude Abbadessa celebrate after winning the United States championship baseball game against Goodlettsville, Tenn. at the Little League World Series, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016, in South Williamsport, Pa. Endwell, N.Y. won 4-2 and is scheduled to play South Korea in the World Series tomorrow. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Endwell, N.Y.'s Michael Mancini, left,, celebrates with teammate Jude Abbadessa (3) after getting the final out of the United States championship baseball game against Goodlettsville, Tenn., at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa., Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)