The run at a state title came up just short for the Owensboro Southern 11U Little League All-Star team. Errors by Southern proved costly, as Eastern capitalized to take a 4-3 victory in the championship game with all four runs being unearned.
Owensboro jumped out to a 1-0 lead with a run in the top of the first inning. Ty Ashley led off with a single and advanced to second on a passed ball, eventually scoring on a hit by Brayden Burger.
Eastern quickly threatened in the bottom of the inning, as a pair of hits and a Southern error loaded the bases with one out. After a second out, another Owensboro error followed by a single led to a 3-1 advantage for Eastern.
Southern earned one run each over the next two innings to even the score. In the second, Geordyn Stevens led off with a single and later scored on a hit by Ashley. In the third, Ty Lillpop singled to start the inning and scored on a fielder’s choice by Burger.
Eastern’s winning run came in the bottom of the fourth. Another error allowed a runner to make it all the way to third, where he then tagged up and scored on a fly out to center field.
Southern outhit Eastern 7-6 but wasn’t able to threaten again over the final two frames. Ashley led Southern’s offense, going 3-for-3 with a run and an RBI. Jayden James pitched the entire game and struck out three with walking a batter.
