BERLIN- The Berlin Little League’s under-12 Major League team’s run at a potential berth in the Little League World Series ended with a 9-3 loss to Pennsylvania in a nationally televised game last Saturday, but the defeat did little to tarnish a remarkable run through the District, state and regional playoffs.
Berlin went 2-2 in pool play in the Little League Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament last week to earn a spot in the semifinals with a chance to advance to the Little League World Series in Williamsport later this month. Berlin jumped out to a quick 2-0 record in pool play after beating New Jersey, 5-4, and eventual region champion Delaware, 6-2, before stumbling against Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania.
Nonetheless, Berlin’s 2-2 record in pool play earned the team a spot in the region semifinals and a rematch with Pennsylvania, which beat Berlin, 2-0, earlier in the week. The game was set for last Friday and was intended to be shown nationally on ESPN, but bad weather forced a cancellation and moved the game back to Saturday at 2 p.m. on ESPNU.
Pennsylvania got out to an early 3-0 lead with three runs in the second and blew the game open with five runs in the fourth. Berlin did not go down quietly and responded with three runs to keep their hopes of a comeback and a trip to the World Series alive, but Pennsylvania just had too much offense and an outstanding pitching performance to eliminate Berlin. Pennsylvania starter Connor Kalten pitched four and two-thirds and struck out 11, ending any hopes for a big Berlin comeback.
Despite the loss, the season was wildly successful for the Berlin Major League team, which won its third straight District 8 championship and third straight Maryland state championship to advance to the regional tournament.
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