Auburn drops Little League World Series opener; next up: Minnesota

Jack Quinn's two-run double in the fifth inning powered Fairfield, Conn., to a 3-1 victory over Auburn in an ESPN-televised first-round game of the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., on Friday.

Jack Quinn’s two-run double in the fifth inning powered Fairfield, Conn., to a 3-1 victory over Auburn in an ESPN-televised first-round game of the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., on Friday.

Auburn will play Midwest representative Plymouth, Minn., in second-round pool play at 5 p.m. Saturday (ESPN). Minnesota dropped its series opener, 10-8, to the Southwest All-Stars from Pearland, Texas.

Auburn is assured three pool play games in the double-elimination tournament.

Auburn, making its first visit to the World Series, tied the game at 1-1 in the fourth inning on Robbie Wilson’s single to center field that scored Casey Manning who also singled.

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But Fairfield came back in the fifth. Connecticut’s first two runners in the frame reached on an error and walk before Quinn worked a 3-2 count, then lined a fastball to right-center field to put his team ahead for good.

Starter Nick Nardone and Eddie Magi limited Auburn to six hits. Nardone, who went 1-1 with a 0.00 ERA in the regional tournament and collected a save, was brilliant. He struck out 10 without surrendering a walk.

Wilson and Ikaika Nahaku led the way for Auburn, each going 2-for-3.

Isaiah Hatch took the loss in relief.

Auburn starter Casey Manning allowed a run and four hits in three innings of work.

Faifield, the New England Regional champion, survived three errors.