Auburn stays alive in Little League World Series, defeats Minnesota

The Auburn Little League All-Stars overcame a two-run deficit to put away Minnesota 5-2 in an elimination game tonight at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.

August 21, 2010 10:23 pm
Dylan Davis comes up short of a tag at third base as Midwest’s Lucas Wencl advances. The play was called an out but reversed after it was reviewed on instant replay. This is the first year instant replay has been used at the Little League World Series.
Dylan Davis comes up short of a tag at third base as Midwest’s Lucas Wencl advances. The play was called an out but reversed after it was reviewed on instant replay. This is the first year instant replay has been used at the Little League World Series.

The Auburn Little League All-Stars overcame a two-run deficit to put away Minnesota 5-2 in an elimination game tonight at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.

Auburn got to Minnesota pitcher Talor Blustin early in the game, loading the bases in the first inning, but was unable to score.

Minnesota, the Midwest Regional champion, did its damage in the second inning, roughing up starter Ikaika Nahaku for two runs on three hits.

Nahaku, who earned the win, settled down after the inning and finished the game with five-innings pitched, giving up just two runs on three hits and striking out seven.

Auburn tied the game up 2-2 in the third inning with Dillon O’Grady driving in Isaiah Hatch, then scoring on a Casey Manning sacrifice.

Auburn added three runs to its lead in the fifth inning, with O’Grady again driving in Hatch, and Manning going deep for a two-run home run.

O’Grady was also awarded the save for his one-inning of work – with two strikeouts – in the sixth.

Hatch finished the game with 2-of-3 hitting with two runs.

Manning had three RBIs, a run and a home run and O’Grady finished with two RBIs and two runs on 2-of-2 hitting.

Auburn will play at 5 p.m. Monday on ESPN2 against the loser of Sunday’s Connecticut-Texas game.