SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – South Shore managed 20 base hits and, not surprisingly, two wins over the weekend, keeping the Tottenville Loop alive and kicking in the Little League World Series.
Leading after three games are Dylan DeGaeta And Nicky McLeanwho both have a whopping .667 batting average, having gone 4-of-6 so far.
McLean and DeGaeta and Jake Romero, each scored 2 of 2 in South Shore’s 4-0 LLWS losers bracket victory over Illinois on Sunday.
According to South Shore manager Bob LaterzaMcLean was moved up to No. 3 in SSLL’s lineup because he made good contact and looked good in batting practice. DeGaeta, on the other hand, has got all four of his hits in his last four at-bats.
Why DeGaeta’s sudden streak of luck?
“I don’t think the pitchers throw as hard as they do in the States, and I can see the ball better,” said DeGaeta, who hit a double against Illinois. “I’ve been hitting really good curve balls lately. Two of my four hits have been curve balls, and I just slam them in.”
“His time has come,” Laterza said. “He’s always been a hitter and that’s why I took him. He gives me hits when I need them. He digs in and more important than the batting average, which is already at the top, he gives me timely hits when I need them most.”
In addition to DeGaeta and McLean Vin Ruggiero (2 for 4, 3 BBs), Stephen Grippo (3 for 6, BB), Romero (3 for 6), Chace Curro (3 for 6) and Dean Scarangello (3 for 6) each have a batting average of .500 in the LLWS.
Scarangello, who has a double, leads SS with three RBI, while Ruggiero, Grippo, McLean and Romero each scored two runs for Laterza’s team.
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Reduction of Ks
After South Shore suffered eight strikeouts in its 9-1 LLWS opening loss to Nevada, the team has only managed seven K’s in its last two games, both of which were victorious.
Ruggiero, Curro, DeGaeta and McLean are yet to suffer a strikeout against Nevada, South Dakota and Illinois.
Tighten the screws defensively
South Shore did not commit a single error in its two wins over the weekend and has not committed an error in 14 consecutive innings in the LLWS.
In the victories over South Dakota and Illinois, first baseman Grippo led the team with 11 putouts on balls placed in play. Otherwise, no one was busier than the “Ice Man,” second baseman Joe Iraciwho recorded three putouts and four assists on Saturday and Sunday.
Shortstop Alex Torres (four putouts) and third baseman Scarangello (three assists), who was at the hot corner for one inning against South Dakota and five innings against Illinois, were also busy.
Catcher Peter GiaccioMeanwhile, he has two nice catches on pops behind home base in three games.
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ESPN broadcast time
ESPN cameras gave Little League players plenty of airtime during the MLB Little League World Series Classic between the Yankees and Tigers on Sunday night, and at least two South Shore players were in the frame.
Before the game began, Little League players from all teams formed a large “first pitch relay” line from the warning track to home plate, and first baseman/pitcher Grippo was visible, albeit briefly, in the camera view.
In addition, South Shore Zach White and another Little Leaguer from another team participated in an interview during the game with ESPN’s. Buster Olney and legendary Yankees manager I’m Joe Torres.
