Toms River Reaches Semifinals At Little League Softball World Series

GREENVILLE, NC — When the girls from Toms River climbed on the tour bus to head to Greenville, North Carolina, on July 29, they had one goal in mind: win a World Series championship.

They are two wins away from achieving that goal.

Toms River defeated Puerto Rico 4-0 on Friday night in an elimination game to advance to the semifinals of the Little League Softball World Series. They play Kentucky at 3 p.m. in the championship game of the Orange Bracket. The winner of that game goes to the World Series Championship game on Sunday to face the winner of the Purple bracket, which pits North Carolina against Florida.

Toms River got there on Friday night behind a stellar pitching performance from Jaelyn Brown.

Brown, who has pitched every inning but one dating back to the start of Toms River's run in the Mid-Atlantic Region tournament, struck out four batters and allowed three hits and three walks in her second-straight shutout.

More than that, she was a calming presence on the field at a critical moment.

When Puerto Rico opened the game by putting its first two batters on base — one reaching on a first-pitch single and the other on a bobbled ball in the infield — Brown bore down and struck out the next two batters. After giving up a walk to load the bases for Puerto Rico, Brown got the third out, tossing a pair of changeups for her third strikeout of the game.

Getting out of the inning without giving up a run set the tone for the rest of the game defensively for Toms River.

In the second inning, after a single, Brown fielded grounders and threw to Juliana Florek-Doslik for outs, then Carly Leonard caught a fly ball in left field for the third out, stranding the Puerto Rico runner.

In the third inning, Brown set Puerto Rico down in order, fielding a grounder for the force play at first base for the first out and snagging a line drive back at her for the third out, while shortstop Franki Velardi fieled a grounder for the second out.

In addition to Brown's strong, steady work on the mound, her teammates contributed strong defense, with Leiana Gay throwing out a Puerto Rico base runner at second on a steal attempt, Mischa Koeppen catching a deep fly in center field that was fading away from her and Gia Gatto making a leaping snare of a fly ball that seemed destined for the outfield.

Gatto also helped Toms River turn a double play in the top of the sixth as Puerto Rico was charged with interference by the baserunner coming to second as Gatto was making the throw to first.

Toms River took the lead in the second inning. Briella Bognar singled to open the inning and Leonard was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. After a pop fly for the first out, Aviana Gay singled to load the bases. After a strikeout, Leiana Gay singled to drive in Bognar, then Gatto hit a pop fly that was dropped, which allowed Leonard and Aviana Gay to score to make it 3-0.

Toms River added its fourth run in the bottom of the third inning when Analeise Curley walked and then scored from second base on a single by Brown.

Toms River plays Kentucky, which has not lost in the tournament, at 3 p.m. Saturday. The game is set to be broadcast on ESPN2.

If Toms River wins, the Little League World Series Championship game is set for 3 p.m. Sunday on ABC.

If Toms River should lose to Kentucky, they will play at 10 a.m. Sunday in the third-place consolation game. That game is set to be broadcast on ESPN.

Here's the final out from Friday night:

Toms River's players are as follows:

1 Jaelyn Brown
2 Aviana Gay
5 Leiana Gay
6 Briella Bognar
7 Carly Leonard
8 Sophia Tolentino
11 Mischa Koeppen
12 Franki Velardi
14 Juliana Florek-Doslik
18 Analeise Curley
25 Gia Gatto
32 Shaelyn Seaman

Previous coverage:

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