Game 5 - White Sox 14, Braves 8
The White Sox moved their record to 5-0 with a 14-8 victory over the Braves on a balmy Friday night at Ladera Little League.
The Braves countered with Aaron Greenfield (78 pitches) and Isaiah Horton (56).
Offensively the White Sox were led by
Kaelin Woodard (3-3, 2 runs, 2 RBI),
Lawrence Gilliam (2-3, 3 runs),
Jibri Walden (2-4, 2 runs, 2 RBI), and
Grant Craddolph (1-2, 2 runs, 3 RBI).
Kelvin Murillo also contributed a hit and 2 runs.
Mathew Hamilton and
Alonzo Billips also had hits and scored a run.
Devin Martin earned a walk and scored a run for the cause.
Kaelin's bat was red hot over the weekend, and he is effectively filling his lead off spot role with a team leading .727 on base percentage.
The Braves were led by Derek Marshall (3-4, 2 runs, 3 RBI), Aaron Greenfield (3-4, 4 RBI) and Jalen Johnson (2-4, 2 runs). Malik Cole and Addae Maddison also contributed hits. Dominic Johnson, Gary McCoy and Jordan Crisp scored runs.
You can find the play by play
here.
Game 6 - White Sox 5, Giants 2
The White Sox took their show on the road and pulled out a close victory against the resilient Culver Marina Giants on Saturday afternoon. The game was played at Culver Marina Little League.
Offensive highlights included a 2 run home run by
Lawrence Gilliam who was 2-3 with 2 runs scored on the day, and a 2-3 performance by
Jibri Walden who had 2 RBIs.
Lawrence now leads the team in HRs (2) and slugging percentage (1.143). His home run sailed over a cyclist's head on the La Ballona Creek Bike Path. The kind rider graciously threw the ball back (must've been a Giant's fan).
Jibri leads the team in batting average (.591) and RBIs (11).
Grant Craddolph (86 pitches) pitched a complete game for the Sox with 15 strikeouts. This is an extremely rare feat in Little League since the introduction of pitch counts 3 years ago. Grant leads the team in strikeouts with 22 on the season. He's also sporting a very stingy ERA of 0.60.
Nathan Moore and
Jordan Strong turned in Web Gem performances at first base. The two have been platooning at first base this year and are showing true veteran leadership at the position.
The hits in this game for Alonzo and Mathew, extended 4 game hitting streaks for both. Alonzo and Kaelin accounted for runs in the effort.
You can find the play by play
here.
Game 7 - White Sox 1, Dodgers 0
The White Sox completed a 3 game weekend sweep and moved their record to 7-0 with a nail biter over the CMLL Dodgers on Sunday afternoon at Culver Marina Little League. The pitcher's duel went down to the last at-bat with the White Sox pulling out a 1-0 victory. This marks the latest chapter in a string of extremely close games over the past 3 years with the CMLL Dodgers. Last year's game was a
one run affair that went 7 innings. In 2008, the teams played a
10 inning one run game.
Jibri Walden (86 pitches) got the start and win for the Sox. He went 5.2 shut out innings, yielding only 4 hits, walking none and striking out 11.
Lawrence Gilliam (11 pitches) relieved Jabri with 2 outs in the bottom of the 6th and proceeded to walk the number 3 batter, Anthony, and give up a ground rule double to the number 4 batter, Avery. The Sox were fortunate to see the ball bounce over the left field wall because the equalizing run would have scored had the ball stayed in play. With runners at second and third, White Sox Nation was filled with angst as Lawrence settled in to strike out the next batter and earn the save.
Jibri was one batter away for matching Grant's complete game victory of a day before. He has 18 strikeouts against 4 walks on the year and a 1.76 ERA. Lawrence earned the first save of the year for the Sox and is 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA in 3 appearances.
Dodger pitcher, Brett Medford (83 pitches), pitched a spectacular complete game with 5 strike outs, 1 walk, and 1 earned run. He befuddled White Sox batters by changing speeds and working both sides of the plate inducing numerous ground balls.
The White Sox scored their only run on a double and subsequent delayed steal by Jibri to move to 3rd. Lawrence sent a ground ball to the right side to score him.
Jibri was 2-2 on the day with 2 doubles.
Kelvin Murillo accounted for the only other hit for the Sox.
Robert Togia was workman-like in 6 tough innings behind the plate for the second consecutive day.
Kaelin Woodard displayed vacuum cleaner like tendencies, gobbling up ground balls to third base.
With the win, the Sox remain firmly planted in first place in the Majors Interleague Division as the only undefeated team.
You can find the play by play
here.
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Ladera Little League White Sox
