CHICAGO — Chicago's Little League stars can't stop winning.
Jackie Robinson West's quest for a Little League World Series championship will continue after winning its third straight elimination game Thursday evening.
The Far South Side ballplayers beat Philadelphia 6-5 at historic Lamade Stadium in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Jackie Robinson West will play against Las Vegas on Saturday afternoon, less than one week after losing to the West Region champions 13-2 in four innings, in the U.S. Championship. The winner of that game will go on to play the International champion in the World Series finale on Sunday.
"Some people thought we wouldn't make it out of regionals," Jackie Robinson West's Marquis Jackson told ESPN after the game.
He then thanked fans back in Chicago for their support.
"If we didn't have their support, we wouldn't have won today." Jackson said.
Jackie Robinson West jumped out to a 6-2 lead after two innings, thanks in large part to three Philadelphia errors.
Philadelphia scored two runs in the fourth and a Kai Cummings solo home run in the fifth brought them within a run, but that's as close as they would get.
After losing to Las Vegas last Sunday, Jackie Robinson West stayed alive with consecutive elimination-game victories against Cumberland, Rhode Island, and Pearland, Texas earlier this week.
From the Far South Side to the Far North Side, Chicago fans have rallied around the team by hosting watch parties. Tweets and other efforts by the Cubs and White Sox have encouraged the team throughout the Little League World Series. The Little League stars have even drawn higher TV ratings than their big league counterparts.
"Once again, the Jackie Robinson West All-Stars have showed why they are the pride of Chicago. Congratulations to Coach Butler and his team on another exciting victory," Mayor Rahm Emanuel said in a statement following Thursday's win. "They continue to bring out the best in people as neighborhoods throughout the city have come together to support these kids. I can't wait to root for them in the United States championship game on Saturday, but regardless of the outcome, they have already won the hearts of an entire city."
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:
