Williamsport, Pa. -- South Shore made a statement at the Little League World Series Sunday morning: They are in it for the long run.
Behind Vin Ruggiero’s masterpiece on the mound, Bob Laterza’s troops won their second straight elimination game by defeating Hinsdale Little League of Illinois, the Great Lakes Region champ, 4-0, at Lamade Stadium.
South Shore, now 19-3 this summer, improved to 2-1 in the World Series and will play another elimination game Tuesday vs. the loser of Monday’s Florida-Texas winners’ bracket game.
South Shore, which opened the World Series with a 9-1 loss Thursday to Nevada, beat Sioux Falls Little League of South Dakota on Saturday to get to Sunday morning’s game.
The team will soak in the Little League Classic Sunday night between the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers before getting a much needed off day Monday.
Illinois, meanwhile, which came to the World Series with a 13-0 record, was eliminated after two straight losses and left without scoring a run. Hinsdale lost 5-0 to Hawaii in its opener.
LINESCORE 1 2 3 4 5 6 -- F
Illinois 0 0 0 0 0 0 -- 0
South Shore 0 0 0 4 0 X -- 4
HITTING STARS
Nicholas McLean, moved up in the order to third prior to Saturday’s game, was 2 for 2 with a run scored. Jake Romero and Dylan DeGaeta split four hits. Dean Scarangello delivered a big two-run single.
Illinois’ Kellan Goodwin and Emiliano Nepomuceno had one hit each.
TURNING POINT
Like it did on Saturday, South Shore broke through against its opponent in the fourth inning as Laterza’s crew put up four runs again on six hits. Stephen Grippo and McLean opened with singles. Peter Giaccio followed with a smash to second base with the infield up that was somehow gloved by Emilano Nepomuceno, who held the runners and got the out at first. Chace Curro plated the first run with a single to left and then Alex Torres followed with a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0. After that, Jake Romero followed with a single and then stole second, putting runners at second and third. Dean Scarangello followed with a two-run single to make it 4-0.
CRITICAL MOMENTS IN THE GAME
In the home third, South Shore had a golden opportunity to score but was denied. They got a huge break when lefty-swinging Dylan DeGaeta hit a fly to left field leading off the inning. Illinois left-fielder Dane Graham III, trying to camp out underneath the ball, slipped in the wet grass from the overnight rain while trying to retrieve the ball and it fell in for a double. Joe Iraci then walked to make it first and second with no outs, but Illinois hurler Alex Vivanco picked up the next two outs. That brought up SS leadoff man Vin Ruggiero, who lined out to Graham in left.
PITCHING STATS
Ruggiero went five innings and allowed just two hits. He struck out seven and did not issue a walk, although he hit a batter in the first inning.
Scarangello pitched the sixth. After getting the first two outs, he allowed a single and then walked a batter before retiring the No. 11 hitter for the game’s final out.
Meanwhile, Illinois hurler Alex Vivanco pitched 3.1 innings, allowing six hits and three runs (all earned). He struck out three and walked two.