New Jersey escapes elimination and ends it with a great play by Derek Escobar, a breakdown
What Happened
Derek Escobar, the starting pitcher for New Jersey in the Little League World Series, takes the mound in the bottom of the fifth inning with the game tied 0-0 against Rhode Island. Escobar walks the first batter, putting runners on first and second with no outs. His coach comes out to the mound and encourages Escobar, telling him he'll need him for the championship game and to get a big hit next inning. New Jersey brings in a reliever, who strikes out two batters and induces a groundout to get out of the jam. The game goes to the top of the sixth, where Rhode Island puts runners in scoring position. On a groundball, the New Jersey second baseman makes a nice play but the runner scores, giving Rhode Island a 1-0 lead. The coach waves the runner home from third, even with the stop sign and he scores easily due to the short distance between the bases. In the bottom of the sixth, New Jersey's number 36 steps to the plate, with his coach telling him he's going to get a big hit. However, he grounds out to the shortstop. The New Jersey reliever continues to dominate, striking out batter after batter. With two outs in the bottom of the sixth, the ball is hit to Escobar at second base. He ranges to his right, makes an off-balance, backhanded throw and nails the runner at first base to end the game and secure the victory for New Jersey. Escobar's coach runs out to congratulate him, acknowledging that while Escobar didn't get the big hit he promised, his game-ending defensive play ensured the win. The first baseman is ecstatic, celebrating the final out. New Jersey has escaped elimination and advanced in the Little League World Series, thanks to a clutch play by Derek Escobar.
Full Transcript
Click timestamps to jump to that momentguys we had an awesome game in an
awesome moment in the Little League
World Series yesterday New Jersey versus
Rhode Island in an elimination game tied
up at zero had been a great game a lot
of good defense
the pitcher here Derek Escobar walks the
batter so now it's first and second no
outs in the bottom of the fifth
this one's brought to you by the sports
letter his coach is gonna take him out
of the game but give him some words of
encouragement can you come in and get
these three ups let's go I need you hey
hey listen to me listen to me you're
good I'm gonna need you regardless we're
gonna need you for the championship game
on this day me alright you did a great
job when you gonna get a big hit for me
next inning alright you're gonna get a
big hit for me next inning remember that
that's what he told number 36 in the
meantime number 9 came in struck out 2
then induced the ground ball gets out of
the jam go to the top of the 6th there's
runners in scoring position
ground ball nice play by the second
baseman looks and back but it's Little
League World Series and you got a run
and they run and they run into two runs
on that play a tough break for Rhode
Island but good job by New Jersey look
at this runner at third he gets the stop
sign says nice elated coach I just
probably score though because the bases
are very close and I'm pretty fast
firing up the crowd let's go I love it
alright now comes up number 36 coach
said he was gonna get a big hit he
doesn't guys he doesn't he grounds out a
nice play by the short steady as always
but we go bottom 6 and this dude still
striking kids out left and right just
blowing fast balls by them okay two outs
one out to go ball in play and our dude
Derek Escobar
are you kidding me that's a big league
play
dude ranges to his right and then the
off-balance back foot throw and it is
right on the money to end the game he
didn't get a big hit he got a
game-ending play first baseman screaming
before even catches it and there he is
and he can be happy now got taken off
the mound didn't get the big hit but he
just ensured the victory and his coach
is gonna come up right here and let him
know and I love that let him know coach
a lot of know this one was brought to
you by the sports
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