Little League

East Lake falls 14-1, faces unbeaten Hawaii tonight

By BRANDON WRIGHT
Published August 18, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG - East Lake seemed to have everything working in its favor Wednesday.

East Lake was 2-0 in pool play at the Junior League World Series, hadn't lost in the postseason and was facing a West Side Lions' team from Texas that lost late Tuesday on a three-run, walk-off home run.

"We watched the Texas game and I think the guys thought we had them right where we wanted them," East Lake manager Manuel Franco said. "But it turned out to be quite the opposite."

Texas pummeled East Lake 14-1 Wednesday, seriously jeopardizing East Lake's chances of reaching Friday's United States Championship game in Taylor, Mich.

"Despite the loss, everyone was upbeat," Franco said. "No one got down on anyone or themselves."

Texas moved to 2-2 in pool play, with East Lake dropping to 2-1 behind 3-0 Pearl City, Hawaii. The top two in the pool advance. Should East Lake win tonight at 8 against Hawaii, its ticket is punched to the U.S title game. A loss would deadlock East Lake in the standings with Texas, which would advance by virtue of its head-to-head win.

Pearl City has outscored opponents 25-8, including Tuesday's 4-3 win against Texas.

Franco will likely start Kyle Westwood. In Tuesday's win against Freehold Township, N.J., Westwood gave up one hit in seven innings. Westwood likely will go as long as possible, followed by Marty Franco or Nick Franz.

On Wednesday, with Tyler Coats scored for East Lake on a wild pitch. Chad Reiss took the loss, and Franz's double was one of six East Lake hits.

[Last modified August 18, 2005, 01:05:19]