Red Land plays in U.S. Championship today: “It’s awesome”
Photo by AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar
Lewisberry, Pennsylvania’s Jaden Henline is mobbed by teammates and coaches after hitting a walk-off two-run double in the sixth inning of a baseball game in United States pool play against Taylors, South Carolina at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2015.
(South Williamsport) — Red Land is set to play for the U.S. Championship this afternoon.
You might not see many people out and about in the midstate this afternoon around 3:30 – that’s when first pitch is scheduled for the game at the Little League World Series.
Red Land, from Lewisberry, York County, enters the contest with an unbeaten record.
The team has shown it can win in a bunch of different ways – through stellar pitching, overpowering hitting, or even a stunning comeback in the last inning.
The most recent 3-0 victory over Pearland, Texas, is a point of pride for Red Land manager Tom Peifer.
“Just incredible to be able to tell the kids after the game, you have two days off and you’re playing for [the U.S. championship],” says Peifer.
“I never thought that those words would even ever come out of my mouth, to be able to tell the kids, not that they already knew it. It’s just an unbelievable experience and I’m so proud of the boys.”
Cole Wagner has been the star of the series – with 24 home runs in 19 games.
“It’s awesome, you know?” says Wagner. “Thinking about it now, the worst that we could do is the second-best team in the U.S., which is still quite an accomplishment, but we’re going to go out there and try to win this thing.”
Wagner is expected to pitch in today’s game against Pearland, Texas, a team it beat Wednesday night.
The winner of the U.S. championship will face the international champion tomorrow afternoon.
The loser will play in a consolation game earlier in the morning.
Meanwhile, the Governor’s Residence will be open to the public for a watch party for today’s game.
The building will open at 3 pm, ahead of the 3:30 first pitch.
Info from the Governor’s Office: The Governor’s Residence is located at 2035 North Front Street in Harrisburg. Parking is permitted along Second Street, including the Permit Parking Only section directly in front of the Governor’s Residence. Parking is also available in the private lot at the corner of Second and Maclay Streets. Guests should enter the Residence grounds through the Second Street gates. No large bags or totes. Security measures will be in place.
WITF’s Tim Lambert will be at the game – follow WITF News on Twitter for updates, and check WITF.org throughout the weekend.
The 1990 Shippensburg team is the last Little League squad from the midstate to make it this far in the World Series. It eventually finished as the runner-up.
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