Jr. LL World Series: 2nd Loss For Johnston

West Regional champions Tucson, AZ, rallied for four runs in the top of the sixth inning and dealt Johnston its second loss of the Junior Little League World Series, 9-2, on August 16 in Taylor, MI.

For the second game in a row, Johnston (1-2) held their opponents to fewer than three runs over the first three innings. Starter Gian Martellini (2.2 IP, 3 runs, 5 hits) whiffed six Tucson batters, and reliever Zach Coro (2.2 IP, 4 runs, 7 hits) held Arizona to two runs in the fourth.

Heading into the home half of the fourth down 5-0, Johnston put together a two-run rally on scores by Martellini (1-for-1) and Korey Fijal (1-for-2).

After a scoreless fifth, Tucson (2-1) scored four in the sixth to put the game out of reach.

Larry Dureault (2-for-2) hit a double in the bottom of the sixth and Armani Henderson earned a walk before Arizona relievers Rudy Altamirano and Juan Rodriguez combined for a strikeout and two fly-outs to end the contest.

Johnston is next scheduled to face Rosenberg, TX, on August 17 at 5 p.m. Central time (6 p.m. Eastern), its final game in the United States pool.

The top two American teams, as determined by record, are set to play in the semifinals on August 19, with the winner advancing to the Championship game against the international pool winner on August 20.

Information for this article was gathered from the Junior Little League International Championship website.

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