A Bethesda Little League team of 10- and 11-year-olds is still alive at this week’s Maryland State Tournament after an 11-1 win on Tuesday against Easton.
The Hagerstown Herald-Mail has the story. The tournament is being played in Conococheague, in Washington County.
The Bethesda team will move on to the losers’ bracket final against Elkton today at 6 p.m. It’s a double-elimination tournament.
Brant Hester, who founded the Bethesda Little League program in 2008, said he believes it’s the most success any official Little League program from Montgomery County has had. Bethesda’s 11- and 12-year-old team also won its district and will start play in the 11-12 Maryland State Tournament this weekend.
The state winners of the 11-12 tournaments will head to Bristol, Conn., for regional play that will be broadcast on ESPN. The Little League World Series, played each summer in Williamsport, Pa., awaits the regional winners.
The 10- and 11-year-olds may get there one day. For now, they’re focused on bringing home a state title.
The team is managed by Sushil Rane. Players include No. 3 Matt Rudolf, No. 4 Sean Fleming, No. 5 Josh Forburger, No. 7 Justin Pecks, No. 8 “Ben” Chris Clarke, No. 9 “J.B.” John Strachan, No. 14 Christian Ficca, No. 19 “Haru” Harufumi Nakazawa, No. 20 Henry Smith, No. 24 “P-Dawg” Pranav Rane and No. 37 James Hester.
For video of the team’s win on Monday, check out this highlight package from local television station WHAG.
Photo via Conococheague Little League; h/t Miti Figueredo
