Upper Providence Little League Is World Series Bound After Win

This story was updated Friday at 1:30 p.m. to correct a detail about the tournaments.

UPPER PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP, PA — It's on to the Little League World Series for the Upper Providence team after a streak in the regional competition that ended with a 6-1 victory Thursday night.

The Little League team that became Pennsylvania State Champions in July claimed three victories this week in the Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament, winning a third game 6-1 Thursday against Toms River East Little League.

All of the Upper Providence games were played in Bristol, Conn. in a tournament consisting of four teams from the Mid-Atlantic region.

While the team is now ensured a spot in the Little League World Series, they still have one game to go before going on to Williamsport. On Friday night, Toms River Little League will play a team from Delaware and the winner of that game will play Upper Providence for seeding purposes on Monday.

Upper Providence Little League Team Manager Ben Ludwig said before Thursday's game against Toms River that he expected it to be "an all-out battle," but the UP team almost made it look easy. They looked strong early on, scoring half of their six runs in inning two, another in the fourth inning, and two in the fifth — holding Toms River off from making its one run until inning five.

The Little League World Series 2021 is planned for Aug. 19-29 in Williamsport, Pa. Games remain to be played this weekend to determine the Midwest Regional winner that will go to the World Series. The games are being broadcast on ESPN.

On Sunday the Upper Providence was in Washington D.C. where they defeated Capitol City Little League 5-1. Then on Monday, Upper Providence squashed New York Colonie Little League 11-3.

Upper Providence is one of 300 chartered Little League organizations in Pennsylvania.
Ludwing said, "They've already accomplished so much and made memories that will last a lifetime, but a spot in Williamsport is the ultimate little leaguers goal."

The coronavirus pandemic has limited world competition. Each of eight USA regions (will supply two teams instead of one to fill the spots the non-USA teams would have otherwise filled for the 16 team World Series tournament.

This post show Jalen Bowman, of Phoenixville, throwing the pitch that clinched the win for Upper Providence against Toms River Thursday night:

Pennsylvania’s Upper Providence Little League (@upperprovll) punched its ticket to the #LLWS and will play for the Mid-Atlantic Region Championship! pic.twitter.com/oqGI9V0QFF
— Little League (@LittleLeague) August 13, 2021

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