Edmondson hurls second no-hitter: S Carolina rips Rhode in LL WS

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pennsylvania – Alex Edmondson threw his second no-hitter in eight days and hit a two-run homer in the first inning to help Taylors, South Carolina, beat Cranston, Rhode Island, 7-1 on Friday in the state’s first ever victory in the Little League World Series.

Edmondson struck out 15 a week after striking out 12 in his no-hitter in the Southeast championship.

Throwing around 80 mph, the right-hander struck out the side four times. He struck out 10 straight between the third and sixth innings in South Carolina’s first LL WS game since 1950. Charleston in 1949, and Clinton in 1950, failed to win games in the state’s only other appearances.

“No South Carolina team had been here in 65 years and no team had ever won a game at the Little League World Series so it means a lot. It’s a big deal,” Taylors manager Kevin Tumblin said.

Terrence Gist hit long home run to the top of the hill beyond left field in the third inning, giving South Carolina a 3-1 lead. Ben Tumblin and Gage Laymon added RBI singles in the fourth and sixth innings, and South Carolina finished with 13 hits.

Rhode Island scored its lone run in the first when David Marchetti walked and came home on two wild pitches and a dropped third strike.

In other openers Friday, it was: Bonita, California 14, Bowling Green, Kentucky 2 in four innings; Pearland, Texas 1, Portland, Oregon 0; Mexicali Baja California, Mexico, 1, White Rock, British Columbia 0; Tokyo 7, Taipei, Taiwan, 5; Kampala, Uganda 4, Santiago de los Caballero, Dominican Republic 1; and Barquisimento, Venezuela 5, Sydney 2.

Cole Wagner had two homers, a double and a single and drove in six runs in four at-bats and Lewisberry routed Webb City, 18-10.

Wagner hit a grand slam and a two-run home run during an eight-run third inning and Pennsylvania scored 18 runs in the two middle innings. Pennsylvania finished with 16 hits and gave its fans from Lewisberry, a two-hour drive from Williamsport, plenty to cheer.

Bonita hit a record-tying five home runs in an 11-run third inning to easily beat Bowling Green.

Antonio Andrade opened the homer spree, pinch-hitter Nick Maldonado had a two-out grand slam, and Nate Nankil, Levi Mendez and Walker Lannom also homered. Bonita tied the series record set by the Dominican Republic in 1992. Dante Schmid also homered for Bonita.

Daniel Zaragoza singled home Raul Leon in the bottom of the sixth inning to lift Mexicali Baja California past White Rock.

Kengo Tomita hit two home runs in Tokyo’s victory over Taipei.

Yeiner Fernandez hit a three-run home run in the top of the sixth inning in Barquisimento’s victory over Sydney.

Francis Alemo hit a two-run double and also earned the victory in Kampala’s victory over Santiago de los Caballero. Jovan Edaku pitched two innings for the save.