CHICAGO — Jackie Robinson West stayed alive at the Little League World Series with a thrilling 8-7, elimination-game victory over Cumberland, R.I., Monday night at Lamade Stadium in Williamsport, Pa.
The Morgan Park-based squad will play another elimination game against Pearland, Texas, at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Lamade on ESPN.
The mayor's office announced later Monday another viewing party will take place at Jackie Robinson Park, 10540 S. Morgan Park St., for Tuesday night's game.
Justin Breen says it's still a tough road ahead, but the team remains confident:
“Tonight's win underscores Jackie Robinson West's unparalleled strength and resilience; I've said it before and I've said it again- never bet against Chicago's kids,” Mayor Rahm Emanuel said in a statement. “It’s been amazing to see the entire City rally around these remarkable young people, so we’ll hold another watch party so that the entire community can come together to watch the All Stars continue their historic run in the Little League World Series.”
Jackie Robinson West's Pierce Jones crushed the game's third pitch from CJ Davock to center field for his LLWS-best fourth home run.
Trey Hondras got the start for JRW and allowed two runs, including one unearned, in the first inning as Cumberland grabbed a 2-1 lead.
But JRW responded in the second with an RBI single from Cameron Bufford and a monstrous three-run homer by Hondras for a 5-2 edge.
Jackie Robinson West added another run in the third on an RBI single from Joshua Houston, but Cumberland answered with five runs in the bottom part of the frame to take a 7-6 lead.
In the fifth, Darion Radcliff's single that scored Marquis Jackson tied the game at 7-7, and Houston gave JRW an 8-7 lead with a single that plated Lawrence Noble.
On the mound in the sixth, Jackson finally closed out Cumberland, which had rallied to win its previous game against Tennessee.
Jackie Robinson West beat Lynnwood, Wash., 12-2 and lost 13-2 to Las Vegas earlier in the tournament.
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