August 16, 2014

SHELBY, N.C. – Johnny Malatesta scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth to lead Brooklawn, N.J., to a 9-8 walk off victory over Midland, Mich., during Day Three play at the American Legion World Series at Keeter Stadium on Saturday.

The heroics came just one inning after Brooklawn (52-7) rallied from a run down in the eighth. Midland (48-7) surrendered an 8-7 lead when Caleb Sommerville hit Brooklawn's Ray Taylor with a pitch while the bases were loaded.


The victory lifts Brooklawn to 3-0 in the Series and assures that it will advance to the semifinals as the top-seeded team from the East Division.


Midland (48-7), meanwhile, finds itself in a precarious position. It can secure the runner-up berth from the division with a victory over Cromwell, Conn., at 5 p.m. on Sunday, but a loss could mean elimination.