Georgia Outduels Michigan, Advances To U.S. Semi-Final In LLWS

WILLIAMSPORT, PA — Riding the fireballing arm of Jansen Kenty on Wednesday, Georgia eliminated Michigan to advance to the Little League World Series U.S. semi-final. Peachtree City American defeated Grosse Pointe Woods-Shores by a score of 4-3 in a game that had to be pushed back a day due to inclement weather.

The boys from Grosse Pointe (2-2), representing the Great Lakes region, fell behind 4-2 in the second inning but managed to reduce the deficit to just one in the third inning. But the hits were few and far between, as the team managed to collect just four hits on the afternoon. When they did come, they were boomers. Jarren Purify and Oliver Service both clubbed homers, with Service — who celebrated his 13th birthday Wednesday — hitting a game-tying two-run shot in the second-inning.

Starting pitcher Brennan Hill labored through the first inning, serving up four runs — two earned — on three hits and three walks. Reggie Sharpe came on in relief to pitch four innings of shutout ball. He gave up three hits.

For Georgia, it was Kenty's day to shine. The flame-throwing lefty pitched 6 innings, giving up three runs, all earned, on five hits. He struck out nine batters and didn't issue a walk. Kenty served up a pair of home runs, both on curve balls, something his coach noted at the end of the game. The team decided to have Kenty stop throwing breaking balls and focus on the heater. It worked, but Kenty ended with 90 pitches, which made him ineligible to play in the semi-final Thursday.

Georgia's coach said there's no one he'd rather have than Kenty on the mound. Kenty, who wasn't even supposed to pitch Wednesday, told ESPN he just tries to keep his cool out there.

"Keep calm and do my thing and have a fun time," he said.

Wills Maginnis, one of the hero's in Georgia's last game, collected two hits on the day. Jack Ryan knocked in two runs.

Michigan displayed maturity and resiliency beyond their years in the tournament, rallying from behind in three of their games, ultimately winning two of them. The latest comeback Monday saw the team fall behind by three runs entering the bottom of the 5th inning. With just six offensive outs remaining, Grosse Pointe roared back to tie the game at four runs apiece and then punched in the winning run in the bottom of the 6th inning with a bases-loaded walk-off single off the bat of Reggie Sharpe.

Ryan Knaebel, Preston Barr and Jarren Purify powered the offense in the tournament. Knaebel had three hits, including a double, three walks and was beaned once. Barr and Purify both have five hits and each doubled once. Barr leads the team in RBIs with three while Purify leads the team in runs scored with four.

Grosse Pointe's pitching was up and down throughout the tournament. Barr was the team's best pitcher, throwing 8.2 innings and giving up just one run on six hits, good for a .692 ERA. He walked a batter and plunked two, but collected 11 strikeouts in the tournament. Reggie Sharpe was also serviceable, tossing 3 innings of two-hit, one-run ball.

But for as much resiliency as Michigan showed, Peachtree City demonstrated just as much grit. After dropping their first game in a shut out to Hawaii, the Georgia boys dished out a shutout of their own against Idaho in an elimination game. The team followed that up with a dramatic extra-innings walk-off win over Texas on Monday night, and then finished off a tough Grosse Pointe team.

Kenty, one of the heroes in Monday's game, has been the heart and soul for Peachtree City's offense thus far. He had four hits in the tournament entering the Michigan game. That included a double and a home run. He also drew two walks and was plunked once. Tai Peete was also a force at the plate. Coming into the latest game he slugged five hits — two doubles — and scored a pair of runs. He walked once and was beaned once.

Connor Riggs-Soper, who enters the game with a 1.74 ERA, has been the team's workhorse pitcher. Riggs-Soper has 11 strikeouts over 10.1 innings and has allowed four runs — three earned — on eight hits. Ben Traxler hurled 5.2 innings.

Rosters

Michigan

#1 Reggie Sharpe P, IF

#2 Ryan Henderson C, OF

#4 Marwynn Matthews OF, IF

#5 Jake Martin C

#6 Jarren Purify P, IF

#7 JJ Schoeck OF, IF

#8 Elliott Nederhood OF

#9 Cameron Schafer P, IF

#10 Chase Mazey P, OF

#12 Preston Barr P, IF

#13 Oliver Service P, OF

#19 Brennan Hill P, OF, IF

#24 Ryan Knaebel P, OF

Georgia

#1 Jansen Kenty

#3 Chase Fralick

#5 Bo Walker

#7 Tai Peete

#8 Jack Ryan

#9 Wills Maginnis

#11 Will Clem

#12 James Hooper

#14 Connor Soper

#17 Ben Traxler

#21 Charlie Clem

#22 Tyler Beck

#24 Cole Manetti

#86 Cayden Olvey

Photos courtesy of Little League Baseball and Softball / Graphics by Kristin Borden