Little League

Region final features powerful pair

By BRANDON WRIGHT
Published August 12, 2005

GULFPORT - ESPN couldn't have asked for much more.

Tonight's matchup between Florida (Maitland) and Georgia (Buckhead) is made for prime time. Both are in the top three in hitting for the week and have the best pitching.

There's Georgia, which reached the region finals in 2003 and Florida, which features a pair of former major-league all-stars' sons.

Both likely will have their aces on the mound. But only one team will punch its ticket to the Little League World Series.

"One team will leave the field (tonight) heartbroken," Florida manager Sid Cash said.

Florida's Dante Bichette, son of the former Colorado Rockies outfielder, and Georgia's Clayton Lau offer the best potential pitching matchup of the tournament with a dominant two wins each.

Bichette hasn't given up a run in nine-plus innings, striking out 14 in that stretch. Lau fanned 16 in 12 innings and has two complete games to his credit.

"I know Dante will be on the mound for us," Cash said. "I can't imagine (Georgia) not throwing Lau."

Georgia manager Gip Johnston wouldn't tip his hand, but Lau might be limited. Cash has removed Bichette with comfortable leads while Lau threw 115 pitches in a 6-5 win against South Carolina on Tuesday.

Georgia has hit a tournament-high eight home runs while Florida has smacked seven. Buckhead has scored 39 runs to Maitland's 27.

WHEN/WHERE: Tonight at 7. Arnold S. White Stadium, 658 58th St. S., Gulfport.

DETAILS: Admission and parking (across the street at Boca Ciega High School) are free. Cooler, alcohol and lawn chairs are prohibited.

DIRECTIONS: Heading south on I-275 - Take the Fifth Avenue N exit and turn right (west). Follow Fifth Avenue to 58th Street and turn left (south). Follow 58th to Seventh Avenue S. The complex is on the left just after the Royal Palms Cemetery.) Heading north on I-275 - Take 22nd Avenue S exit and turn left (west). Follow 22nd Avenue to 58th Street and turn right (north). Follow 58th to Seventh Avenue S. (Complex is on the right just after Boca Ciega High).

AT STAKE: Berth in the World Series, Williamsport, Pa., Aug. 19-28.

[Last modified August 12, 2005, 00:47:15]