WACO, Texas — The Little League World Series dreams of the Bryant 12-year-old All-Stars came to a disappointing end on Sunday. In an elimination game at the Southwest Regional Tournament, Bryant could not overcome the Louisiana champions from South Lake Charles who scored in all but the third inning including a six-run first and a five-run sixth.
The Louisiana team advanced in the losers bracket with a 16-3 win. Bryant, Arkansas champs, were set to head home.
The Bryant team, coached by Jason Greiner, includes Braedon Boyce, Gage Buford, Gavin Burton, Caleb Greiner, Drew Hatman, Connor Martin, Colby Morrow, Calvin Myles, Kyler Pabon, J.T. Parker, Cade Parker, Turner Seelinger and Hayden Thompson.
Bryant answered the six-run first by South Lake Charles with three in the home first but that wound up being the only inning in which the Stars scored.
South Lake Charles added a run in the second then scored two in the fourth and two in the fifth before the last eruption in the top of the sixth.
Martin had two hits for Bryant. Boyce drove in a run. He, Morrow, Seelinger and Myles had hits as well.
Bryant knocked Louisiana starter Jake LaRocca out of the game in the bottom of the first but Grant Comeaux, Jordan Thompson, Blake Moss and Ashton Fuselier combined to pitch shutout ball the rest of the way.
Morrow, Boyce, Greiner and Cade Parker all pitched for Bryant.
In the first for South Lake Charles, a three-run hit by Collin Pousson and a two-run homer to center by Gage Coffman did most of the damage.
Bryant’s answer began with one-out walks to Martin and Pabon. Seelinger beat out an infield hit and, on a late throw to first, Martin scampered home. Pabon scored on Boyce’s groundout then Morrow singled and Greiner, running for Seelinger scored n a wild pitch.
Hatman was struck by a pitch to bring the potential tying run to the plate but, after the pitching change, Comeaux induced a grounder to short by Thompson that resulted in a force out to end the inning.
Three singles and a fielder’s choice produced a run for Louisiana in the top of the second. In the home half, Martin singled to second and sprinted all the way to third on a wild pitch but was stranded.
Morrow worked around a one-out walk in the third to keep it 7-1 and Bryant threatened again. Boyce cracked a one-out single to right and, with two down, Myles beat out an infield hit. Both were stranded, however.
After South Lake Charles tacked on two in the top of the fourth, Martin singled with two down in the home half. After a pitching change, Buford reached on an error. Again, however, South Lake Charles wriggled off the hook.
Trailing 11-3 in the bottom of the fifth, Bryant was retired in order for the only time. South Lake Charles completed the scoring in the top of the fifth. In Bryant’s last gasp, Parker worked a one-out walk but a doubleplay ended the game.
After Sunday’s results, only four teams remained in the tourney.
2016 SOUTHWEST REGIONAL TOURNAMENT
Little League Baseball 12U
At Marvin Norcross Stadium, Waco, Texas
Thursday, Aug. 4
Game 1 — San Antonio McAllister American (Texas West champion) 3, South Lake Charles (Louisiana champion) 0
Game 2 — Bryant (Arkansas champion) 4, Pearland East (Texas East champion) 2
Game 3 — Eastdale (New Mexico champion) 3, Starkville (Mississippi champion) 1
Game 4 — North Boulder (Colorado champion) 9, Tulsa National (Oklahoma champion) 7
Friday, Aug. 5
Game 5 — South Lake Charles 8, Pearland East 1
Game 6 — Starkville 10, Tulsa National 0
Saturday, Aug. 6
Game 7 — San Antonio McAllister American 14, Bryant 0
Game 8 — Eastdale 6, North Boulder 5
Sunday, Aug. 7
Game 9 — South Lake Charles 16, Bryant 3
Game 10 — Starkville vs. New Boulder, 8 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 8
Game 11 — South Lake Charles vs. game 10 winner, 4 p.m.
Game 12 — San Antonio McAllister American vs. Eastdale, 8 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 9
Game 13 — Game 12 loser vs. game 11 winner, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 10
Game 14 — Game 12 winner vs. game 13 winner, 6 p.m.
