Little League World Series: Staten Island Loses

In the U.S. pool of the Little League World Series on Saturday, Warner Robins of Georgia defeated Staten Island of New York 6-3.

Oscar Noguera scored from third on a throwing error for Reynosa of Mexico to beat Vancouver of British Columbia 2-1 in seven innings at the

Willemstad of Curacao beat Maracaico of Venezuela 2-1 in another international pool game.

Vancouver pitcher Anthony Cusati fielded a bunt by Mario Cardenas cleanly but threw to first with no one covering, allowing the ball to bounce into foul territory. Noguera jogged home easily for the win, sending Mexico's vocal fans into a frenzy.

Mexico had a good chance to win in the sixth after loading the bases with one out. But Cusati caught another bunt attempt on the fly by lunging off the mound, then threw to second to double off runner Marcelo Martinez, who was halfway to third. It was the most dramatic play of the tournament so far.

"I saw that double play and I didn't know what to think," said Raul Rojas, the 12-year-old pitcher who tossed two-plus innings of scoreless relief for the win. "Fortunately, we got the win later."

Claycandy Hariquez, one of five returnees from last year's Willemstad tournament team, drove in the go-ahead run against Maracaibo with a single and threw a two-hitter. He struck out 13 and walked one.

Hariquez tossed a gem that would have impressed his idol, Atlanta Braves pitcher and Curacao native Jair Jurrjens.
"I felt I pitched very well and I was ready for the game," Hariquez said in a low voice through an interpreter. "I felt more nervous last year, my first World Series."

Justin Jones homered for the second straight day and two more teammates went deep in Warner Robins' win at Lamade Stadium.

The team has won two straight after waiting around the Little League complex for nearly a week.

Jones' two-run shot gave Georgia a 4-0 lead in the second.

But Vincent Quinn homered with two outs in the sixth for Staten Island to close to 6-3 down before Jones, who also started, got a groundout to complete his three-hitter.