Nevada Overcomes Connecticut 8-2 to Reach Little League Championship

In an exciting semifinal match of the Little League World Series, Nevada triumphed over Connecticut with a score of 8-2 on March 7, 2024, at Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. This victory propels Nevada to the championship game against Taiwan, who is seeking their first title since 1996.

Garrett Gallegos played a pivotal role in Nevada’s win, not only hitting a home run but also pitching five strong innings. His performance was key in leading the Las Vegas team to their first title opportunity in the tournament’s history. Meanwhile, Taiwan, which has won the championship 17 times, is looking to add another title to their impressive record.

Highlights from the Game

The game began with a standout performance from Grayson Miranda, who contributed significantly to Nevada’s three-run first inning. With the bases loaded, he battled through an 0-2 count, eventually driving in two runs with a single that rolled into right field. This early lead set the tone for Nevada, which would not look back.

Connecticut managed to respond with some aggressive baserunning, cutting into Nevada’s lead. Jimmy Taxiltaridis scored after a misplay at third base by infielder Cache Malan, making the score 4-1. Despite this effort, Connecticut struggled to capitalize on their scoring opportunities.

As the game progressed, Nevada’s dominance became evident. In the sixth inning, they added four more runs, highlighted by a two-run single from Cutter Ricafort. This offensive surge sealed the game, leaving Connecticut unable to mount a comeback.

International Semifinal Results

In the international semifinal, Taiwan edged out Aruba with a narrow 1-0 victory. Pitcher Liu Wei-Heng delivered a stellar performance, throwing 5 1/3 innings and striking out seven batters. The game’s only run was scored after Chen Shi-Hong reached first on a walk, advanced on a passed ball, and capitalized on an errant throw.

Despite Aruba’s late-game threats, including a leadoff single from Emerson Mercado, Taiwan’s defense held strong. Pitcher Chen Qi-Sheng struck out the final batter, securing the shutout and sending Taiwan to the championship match.

As anticipation builds for the title game on March 8, 2024, both Nevada and Taiwan are poised for a showdown filled with excitement and high stakes. The championship promises to be a thrilling conclusion to this year’s Little League World Series.