August 15, 2014

SHELBY, N.C.—One inning can be the difference.

                That’s what happened in the first game Friday at the American Legion Baseball World Series as Omaha, Neb., rallied from a 5-1 deficit with an eight-run 6th inning to take command in 9-6 victory over Chico, Calif., to improve to 2-0 in pool play.

                Omaha improved to 58-5 on the season and has Saturday off at the ALWS. California, which fell to 41-17 on the season, and 0-1 in ALWS pool play, will play Waipahu, Hawaii, Saturday at 5 p.m.

                Omaha scored all eight runs in the 6th inning with two outs.

Center fielder Devin Stueck tied the game, 5-5, with a two-run triple down the right field line. Then a couple free passes later, Matt Waldron hit a two-run single into left field to give Omaha a lead they never relinquished. Will Patterson added an RBI single, Jake Meyers had a two-run double and Graham Cahill had an RBI sacrifice fly in the inning.

California actually out-hit Omaha in the loss, 14-13, but five free passes and some timely hits proved to be the difference in the fateful 6th. Nebraska left 14 runners on base; California stranded 11.

Omaha starting pitcher Luke Biggs allowed 12 hits and three walks over eight innings to pick up the victory. He struck out three, and only three of his six runs allowed were earned. Waldron closed the door in the 9th inning after allowing three base runners by inducing a game-ending double play.

Stueck, Drew Fitzmorris and Waldron each had 3 hits to help lead Omaha on offense. Fitzmorris had two doubles.

California center fielder Ian Melton went 4-for-5 and scored three runs in the loss. First baseman Marcus Wilhite went 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Catcher Blake Vierra and second baseman Garrett Ferriera each had two hits and an RBI.