Iowa stars no-hit Sweetwater Valley

Sweetwater Valley no-hit in heartbreaking 1-0 World Series opener

EastCountySports.com staff report

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Sweetwater Valley Little League ran into one of the country’s best pitchers Friday afternoon. Even then, the Bonita-based West Region champions came within one pitch and one swing of escaping with a victory.

Cooper Thissen hit a leadoff home run and combined with Anthony Johnson Jr. on a 17-strikeout no-hitter as Davenport Northwest of Iowa edged Sweetwater Valley 1-0 in a spectacular Little League Baseball World Series pitching duel at Howard J. Lamade Stadium.

Thissen struck out 15 over 5⅓ innings before reaching 90 pitches. Johnson entered with the bases loaded and one out in the sixth and struck out two consecutive hitters, ending the game with a full-count pitch that caught the outside corner against James Griffin.

The final strike completed a combined no-hitter and sent Sweetwater Valley into the elimination bracket, where it will face Phenix City, Alabama, at 4 p.m. Pacific on Saturday. The game will be televised on ESPN.

Despite being held without a hit, Sweetwater Valley was only one run behind throughout the afternoon because of an equally impressive performance by Noah Kirk.

Kirk struck out 13 and allowed only two hits in 4⅔ innings. Unfortunately for Sweetwater Valley, the first of those hits came from the opposing pitcher and became the only run of the game.

Thissen led off the bottom of the first and drove Kirk’s pitch over the center-field fence. Kirk then retired the next 14 Iowa hitters he faced, striking out every batter responsible for an out during his appearance.

The teams combined for 31 strikeouts in six innings, with 17 recorded by Davenport and 14 by Sweetwater Valley.

Neither committed an error.

Neither generated a sustained rally.

One swing by Thissen ultimately separated two teams that entered the tournament with legitimate United States championship expectations.

Kirk responds after opening homer

Kirk’s afternoon could hardly have started under more difficult circumstances.

Thissen, one of the most highly regarded pitchers and players in the country, stepped into the box as Davenport’s first batter and launched a solo home run to center field.

It proved to be Iowa’s final extra-base hit, final run and only necessary piece of offense.

Kirk immediately settled into a dominant rhythm.

He struck out the side in the first and continued overpowering Davenport’s lineup through the fifth. After Thissen’s home run, Kirk retired 14 consecutive hitters and did not allow another batter to reach base during his appearance.

Kannon Kane produced Iowa’s only other hit, but Kirk finished with 13 strikeouts, two walks and one earned run allowed. Every out he recorded came by strikeout.

Kirk reached the 85-pitch limit with two outs in the fifth. He left the mound to a standing ovation after giving Sweetwater Valley every opportunity to overcome the early run.

Leo Gonzalez entered and struck out the only batter he faced, giving the West Region pitching staff 14 strikeouts among Davenport’s 15 offensive outs.

On almost any other day, that performance would have been enough.

Thissen was even better.

Thissen overwhelms Sweetwater Valley

The Sweetwater Valley lineup entered Williamsport after powering through the Southern California and West Region tournaments, but it could not solve Thissen’s high-velocity delivery from the left side.

Thissen allowed no hits and walked four. Fifteen of the 16 outs he recorded came by strikeout.

Sweetwater Valley struggled to put the ball in play, but its patience eventually created one final opportunity.

With Thissen approaching the end of his outing, the West Region champions began working their way on base without a hit. Thissen recorded the first out of the sixth before Davenport went to Johnson with the bases loaded.

The Sweetwater Valley supporters at Lamade Stadium rose and filled the park with chants of “SVLL.”

California needed only a fly ball, a ground ball through the infield, a wild pitch or one mistake from the reliever to tie the game. A well-placed hit could have won it.

Johnson never allowed the ball to be put in play.

The hard-throwing right-hander struck out the first batter he faced, bringing Davenport within one out of completing the upset.

Griffin battled Johnson to a full count with the bases still loaded. Johnson’s 3-2 pitch caught the corner for strike three, ending Sweetwater Valley’s comeback attempt and completing the combined no-hitter.

Johnson needed 17 pitches to record the final two outs.

One pitch decides elite duel

The matchup had been anticipated since the World Series bracket was released.

Thissen and Kirk are both members of the 12U United States National Team and entered Williamsport among the country’s leading pitchers. Thissen had dominated elite travel competition throughout the summer, while Kirk helped carry Sweetwater Valley through one of the most difficult tournament paths in the country.

The pitching duel proved even better than advertised.

Sweetwater Valley’s pitchers struck out 14 and did not allow a run after the first batter of the game. Davenport’s staff struck out 17, allowed no hits and had to survive a bases-loaded threat in the sixth.

There was no defensive breakdown to explain the result. Both teams played errorless baseball.

There was no string of walks that produced the winning run. There was no controversial play or late collapse.

Thissen hit one pitch over the fence, and Kirk allowed nothing else.

Turning point

Thissen’s home run provided the only run, but Sweetwater Valley’s bases-loaded opportunity in the sixth became the defining sequence.

The West Region champions had gone five innings without a hit, yet they remained within one run because of Kirk and Gonzalez.

When Sweetwater Valley loaded the bases with one out, the entire game changed. Thissen was finished, Davenport had to call upon a reliever, and the top of California’s order was one productive plate appearance from tying the score.

Johnson responded with consecutive strikeouts.

The final at-bat reached a full count before Johnson caught the corner against Griffin. Sweetwater Valley went from having the potential tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position to facing an elimination game less than 24 hours later.

Sweetwater Valley standout

Noah Kirk deserved better than the loss attached to his name.

After surrendering Thissen’s leadoff home run, Kirk was nearly untouchable. He retired the next 14 hitters, struck out 13 overall and surrendered only two hits in 4⅔ innings.

His performance ensured that Sweetwater Valley never fell out of the game. Even without a hit, California carried a realistic chance to win into its final plate appearance.

Kirk threw 85 pitches and will require four calendar days of rest. He will not be eligible to pitch again until Wednesday.

If Sweetwater Valley can navigate the elimination bracket until then, its ace could still have another opportunity in Williamsport.

Tournament impact

The 1-0 loss was a major early surprise because Sweetwater Valley entered the World Series as one of the favorites in the United States bracket.

The result does not necessarily change that evaluation.

Sweetwater Valley received championship-caliber pitching, played errorless defense and came within a full-count pitch of potentially taking the lead despite facing one of the best young pitchers in the country.

The concern is the offense.

Sweetwater Valley struck out 17 times and did not collect a hit. Its hitters will not encounter many pitchers as overpowering as Thissen, but the lineup must recover quickly with no margin for another difficult offensive day.

The encouraging part is Sweetwater Valley’s pitching depth.

Although Kirk is unavailable Saturday, Gonzalez threw only seven pitches and can return against Alabama. The rest of California’s staff remains unused, giving Winnick multiple options in the elimination game.

Sweetwater Valley also avoided using another front-line pitcher simply to remain within one run Friday. Kirk handled nearly the entire game, and Gonzalez needed only seven pitches to finish the fifth.

The loss moved California onto the longer and more difficult route through the bracket, but Sweetwater Valley still possesses enough pitching to survive it.

“We have to believe in ourselves,” Winnick said. “The great thing is that we’re not done.”

Elimination game: Sweetwater Valley vs. Phenix City

Sweetwater Valley will face Southeast Region champion Phenix City, Alabama, at 4 p.m. Pacific Saturday at Lamade Stadium.

The matchup sends one of the tournament’s leading contenders home after only two games.

Alabama also lost an extraordinary pitching duel in its opener, falling 2-0 in seven innings against SoundView of Washington.

Kinley Rasmus allowed only one hit and no runs over six innings for Phenix City, striking out eight and walking two. Alabama lost after two unearned runs scored against Ryker Rasmus in the seventh.

Like Sweetwater Valley, Alabama received an elite performance from its ace and still fell into the elimination bracket.

Neither opening-game starter will be available Saturday.

Kirk threw 85 pitches Friday and cannot return until Wednesday. Kinley Rasmus threw 81 pitches Wednesday and will not become eligible until Monday.

Sweetwater Valley will have Gonzalez available after his seven-pitch relief appearance. California also has its remaining pitchers rested and ready.

Ryker Rasmus remains available for Alabama after throwing 16 pitches Wednesday.

The game will test exactly what Winnick emphasized following the defeat: Sweetwater Valley’s depth.

California can no longer rely on Kirk to carry it through another low-scoring game. The remaining staff must control an Alabama lineup that struggled against Washington but entered Williamsport with significant power and athleticism.

Sweetwater Valley’s hitters must also turn the page quickly. After facing Thissen’s elite velocity and command, California will need to rediscover the offensive approach that carried it through the West Region.

A victory would keep Sweetwater Valley alive and allow the staff to continue moving closer to Kirk’s Wednesday return. A loss would abruptly end a summer in which the Bonita team established itself as one of the finest Little League clubs in the country.

Iowa moves into winners’ bracket

Davenport Northwest advances to face the winner of Mid-Atlantic and Metro at 10 a.m. Pacific Sunday.

Iowa’s challenge will be continuing without Thissen. His 90-pitch outing requires four calendar days of rest, making him ineligible until Wednesday.

Johnson threw only 17 pitches and remains available Sunday. Davenport therefore preserved its leading relief option, but it must win at least once—and potentially twice—before Thissen can return to the mound.

Iowa’s combined no-hitter immediately places the Midwest Region champions among the leading teams in the U.S. bracket. Whether Davenport can remain there will depend on how effectively its other pitchers bridge the gap until Thissen becomes eligible again.

Pitching summary

Sweetwater Valley, California

Noah Kirk: 4⅔ IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 13 K, 2 BB, 85 pitches — eligible Wednesday.

Leo Gonzalez: ⅓ IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K, 7 pitches — available Saturday against Alabama.

Davenport Northwest, Iowa

Cooper Thissen: 5⅓ IP, 0 H, 0 R, 15 K, 4 BB, 90 pitches — eligible Wednesday.

Anthony Johnson Jr.: ⅔ IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 K, 17 pitches — available Sunday.

Saturday impact: Sweetwater Valley must defeat Phenix City without Kirk, but Gonzalez and the remainder of California’s pitching staff will be available.

Long-term impact: If Sweetwater Valley can survive the elimination bracket, Kirk becomes eligible to return Wednesday.

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MEXICO CAPITALIZES EARLY, ROLLS PAST AUSTRALIA 7-1

By Ramon Scott

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Mexico did not produce an overwhelming hit total in its Little League Baseball World Series opener. It did not need one.

Mexico combined patience, pressure and strong pitching to take advantage of nearly every opportunity Friday morning, scoring three times in the first inning and cruising past Australia 7-1 at Volunteer Stadium.

The victory advanced Mexico into the winners’ bracket, where it will face the winner of Friday’s Latin America-Panama matchup at 11 a.m. Eastern on Sunday.

Jorge Fonseca influenced the game in nearly every phase. He scored three times, delivered a run-scoring single and then controlled Australia from the mound, allowing only two hits over three shutout innings while striking out six and walking one.

Mexico scored seven runs despite collecting only three hits, drawing seven walks and turning Australia’s defensive mistakes into immediate damage.

Two Australian errors helped Mexico score three times in the bottom of the first. The early trouble forced starter Aaron Dare to pitch under pressure almost immediately and changed the shape of a matchup in which Australia needed its top pitcher to keep the score low.

Dare limited Mexico to two hits over three innings, but five walks and defensive breakdowns proved costly. He was charged with five runs, only one earned, and struck out three while throwing 67 pitches.

Mexico extended its advantage in the third. Fonseca singled down the left-field line to bring home a run, and Emiliano Kerber followed with a sacrifice fly. The lead eventually reached seven as Australia continued struggling to prevent Mexico from converting walks and mistakes into runs.

Gareth Garcia drove in two runs from the middle of the order and finished 1-for-2. Fonseca, Garcia and Gael Santamaria collected Mexico’s three hits, while Rafael Mesina drew two of the team’s seven walks.

That combination made Mexico difficult to contain even without a large offensive total. Australia had to earn nearly every out, while Mexico consistently moved runners and maintained pressure.

Australia finally broke through against the Mexican bullpen, with Freddie Loats driving in its only run. Edin Becirevic supplied two of Australia’s four hits, going 2-for-2 from the No. 7 position.

Esteban Bautista and Paul Lavenant followed Fonseca and combined to cover the final three innings. Bautista threw 50 pitches before Lavenant completed the victory with only five.

Mexico also played a clean defensive game, committing no errors and turning a double play. Garcia recorded 11 defensive chances behind the plate as Mexico held Australia to four hits and prevented the game from becoming competitive after the opening inning.

TURNING POINT

Australia’s best opportunity to keep Mexico within reach disappeared in the first inning.

The matchup appeared capable of becoming a low-scoring game with Dare opposing Fonseca, but two errors, five eventual walks from Dare and Mexico’s aggressive execution allowed three runs to score before Mexico had established much offense with the bat.

Instead of pitching with the game even, Dare spent the remainder of his outing trying to prevent Australia from falling further behind. Mexico then added two more runs in the third, turning the early advantage into complete control.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Jorge Fonseca, Mexico

Fonseca scored three of Mexico’s seven runs, drove in another and provided three scoreless innings on the mound. He allowed two hits, struck out six and walked one, retiring Australia without permitting a run before turning the game over to the bullpen.

TOURNAMENT IMPACT

Mexico advances without facing an elimination game and established itself as a legitimate International championship contender.

The 7-1 final was commanding, although the offensive performance contained an important qualification: Mexico scored seven times on only three hits. Seven walks and four unearned runs against Dare helped create the margin.

That is not a negative—forcing mistakes and capitalizing on them are winning qualities—but Mexico may need more sustained production against a sharper defensive team in the next round.

The pitching staff offered more direct evidence of Mexico’s strength. Fonseca overpowered Australia for three innings, and Bautista and Lavenant protected the advantage without allowing the game to tighten.

Australia falls into the elimination bracket and will face Canada at 1 p.m. Eastern on Saturday. Australia must recover quickly and do so without Dare or Becirevic available to pitch.

MEXICO LOOKAHEAD

Mexico will face the winner of Latin America and Panama at 11 a.m. Eastern Sunday at Volunteer Stadium.

The schedule creates a significant pitching challenge. Fonseca and Bautista will both be unavailable Sunday because of their pitch counts, leaving Lavenant and Mexico’s unused arms responsible for the winners’ bracket matchup.

Fonseca’s 51 pitches require three calendar days of rest, making him eligible again Tuesday. Bautista threw exactly 50, requiring two days of rest and making him eligible Monday. Lavenant threw only five and remains available Sunday.

Mexico therefore gained something important beyond the victory: it avoided using Lavenant extensively and preserved the remainder of its staff. However, it will have to defeat a stronger opponent without either pitcher who handled the first five innings against Australia.

If Mexico wins Sunday, Fonseca would be available for its next scheduled winners’ bracket game Wednesday. If Mexico loses, it would return Tuesday with Fonseca eligible but Bautista also restored to the staff.

AUSTRALIA LOOKAHEAD

Australia faces Canada in an elimination game Saturday, less than 30 hours after Friday morning’s defeat.

Dare’s 67 pitches require four calendar days of rest, while Becirevic’s 45 require two. Neither can pitch against Canada, putting Australia’s season in the hands of its remaining arms.

Australia must also clean up the defense. Four of the five runs charged to Dare were unearned, and the three-run first inning forced the team to chase the game from the outset.

PITCHING SUMMARY

MEX: Jorge Fonseca 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 6 K, 1 BB, 51 pitches (eligible Tuesday); Esteban Bautista 50 pitches (eligible Monday); Paul Lavenant 5 pitches (available Sunday).

AUS: Aaron Dare 3 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 1 ER, 3 K, 5 BB, 67 pitches (eligible Wednesday); Edin Becirevic 45 pitches (eligible Monday).

Sunday impact: Mexico will face the Latin America-Panama winner without Fonseca or Bautista, but Lavenant and the rest of its unused staff remain available.

Saturday impact: Australia must defeat Canada without either Dare or Becirevic available to pitch.

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