Hinsdale opens Little League World Series with a loss
If Hinsdale wins the 2024 Little League Baseball World Series, it will have to do so out of the elimination bracket.
Wailuku, Hawaii, beat Hinsdale 5-0 on Friday in a second-round game in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Hinsdale had received a first-round bye.
Wailuku, 2-0 in the series, was led by a 3-run bottom of the third. Both teams collected 3 hits apiece.
Hinsdale (0-1) moves to the elimination bracket for an 8 a.m. game Sunday against the winner of Saturday’s game between Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Staten Island, New York.
A double-elimination tournament, Hinsdale must win four straight games to reach the United States Championship game on Aug. 24. The winner of that game advances to the World Series Championship on Aug. 25 against the International champion.
Hinsdale started fast against Hawaii when Freddie Sackley walked, and Kellan Goodwin singled to begin the game.
After a fielder’s choice and a strikeout, a passed ball sent Goodwin and Dillon Phelan to second and third. Hawaii pitcher Evan Tavares ended the threat with a strikeout.
Goodwin had 2 hits for Hinsdale. Grant Wanless added another hit.
Tavares, who can throw 75 mph, the equivalent of a Major League 100 mph fastball, allowed 2 hits and struck out nine Hinsdale batters in 5⅓ innings.