August 16, 2014

SHELBY, N.C.—The final score was not indicative of the game.

                Tied 1-1 in the bottom of the 9th inning Saturday afternoon, Jacksonville, Florida, starting pitcher Jesse Prather worked himself out of a one-out, bases-loaded jam with back-to-back strikeouts then designated hitter Kyle Pausche hit a two-run triple in the top of the 10th inning to help lead Jacksonville in beating Cromwell, Conn., 7-4, in pool-play action at the American Legion Baseball World Series.

                Jacksonville improved to 39-7 on the season and 1-2 in pool play. The Indians have Sunday off at the ALWS and await the results of the Connecticut-Midland, Mich., game to see if a tiebreaker will come into effect in order to advance to Monday’s semifinals. Connecticut fell to 31-10 on the season and 0-2 in ALWS pool play. Its game against Michigan Sunday starts at 5 p.m.

                Prather, the lefty who suffers from cerebral palsy and holds his glove by the webbing with his right hand when throwing then switches it to his left hand after he throws to catch it because his right side is too weak, was brilliant on the mound. After allowing a hit to the second batter of the game, then a subsequent stolen base, error and unearned run, he held Connecticut scoreless for eight innings. He spread out six hits and four walks while striking out four.

                Pausche went 4-for-5 with 3 RBIs while catcher Adam Rieder, first baseman Chris Geisler and right fielder Lewis Langley each had two hits to help lead Jacksonville in out-hitting Cromwell, 15-8.

                The wheels fell off for Cromwell once they didn’t score in the bottom of the 9th as Jacksonville scored seven runs in the 10th. Connecticut came back with four runs in the bottom of the 10th and left the bases loaded.

                Connecticut catcher Kevin Radziewicz went 3-for-4 in the loss. Center fielder Tommy Seaver added two hits. Starting pitcher Cole Orgozalek went nine innings in the loss, allowing 14 hits and two walks while striking out none.