Russellville drops two in Huntsville, chase of World Series berth ends
By Staff
Scot Beard
HUNTSVILLE – The Russellville 11-12 Little League All-Stars got off to a rough start in the state tournament, and could not rebound as they fell to Jackson 6-2 in its first game, followed by a 4-2 loss to Roanoke in an elimination game.
Russellville jumped ahead of Jackson 1-0 in the first inning thanks to a solo home run by Landon Oliver, but Jackson took advantage of some Russellville miscues in the bottom half of the inning to take a 3-1 lead.
Jackson added three more runs in the second inning to take control of the game.
Russellville threatened in the sixth inning as Jacob Bynon drew a one-out walk and scored as the Jackson pitcher walked the next three batters.
Russellville trailed 6-2 with the bases loaded and only one out, but was unable to capitalize as the Jackson pitcher struck out the last two Russellville batters to end the game.
Oliver had the only two hits for Russellville in the game. He also took the loss on the mound, allowing six runs on five hits in 22/3 innings. He struck out three and walked four.
Jacob Green, Micah Fleming and Austin Bohannon each pitched relief.
With the loss, Russellville fell to the Losers' Bracket to face Roanoke.
Roanoke scored a run in both the first and second innings, but Russellville tied the game 2-2 in the third when Oliver and Bynon scored.
Roanoke scored twice in the fourth inning to pull away for good.
Jacob Green, Hunter Kiel, Austin Bohannon, Oliver and Bynon each had a hit for Russellville.
Green took the loss on the mound, allowing four runs and eight hits in 51/3 innings of work. He struck out three and did not walk any opposing batters.
Austin Bohannon pitched 2/3 of an inning and walked one batter.
The loss to Roanoke ends Russellville's season. The winner of the state tournament will advance to the Southeast Region Tournament to play for a berth in the Little League World Series.
