Loudoun South Little League loses to Hawaii 12-9; will get 2nd chance at US final Thursday

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The Loudoun South Little League team warms up before a game against Wailuku, Hawaii on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019. (WTOP/John Domen)
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The Loudoun South Little League team arrives at the stadium in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, on Aug. 21, 2019. (WTOP/John Domen)
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The Loudoun South Little League team warms up before a game against Wailuku, Hawaii on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019. (WTOP/John Domen)
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Loudoun South congratulates the team from Wailuki, Hawaii, after a game on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. (WTOP/John Domen)
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loudoun south, little league
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little league, loudoun south

The Loudoun South Little League team will have one more chance to advance in the Little League World Series after Wednesday night’s loss to Hawaii.

Loudoun South lost to the team from Wailuku, Hawaii, 12-9. It was the first loss for the team from South Riding, Virginia during the series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Loudoun South was down early 5-0 Wednesday and battled back to tie things up 8-8 in the bottom of the third.

“It’s very had to have a lead like that and then give it away and stand on the field and battle back,” Brad Lung, Hawaii’s coach said after the game.

Lung said he told his team to refocus.

“It’s 0-0. We got three innings to play. Let’s work with it. Let’s not put our heads down,” Lung said.

One of the things Lung did to refocus his team was to put the game in perspective.

“I smile. I laugh. I try to bring it back to where we are. We’re playing a baseball game,” he said.

Laughter also helps.

“It eases the pressure off them. You can see it in their faces … You laugh, you make jokes. That helps with children, especially kids this age,” Lung said.

Hawaii eventually pulled away for a victory.

Loudoun South’s last chance to advance to the U.S. championship will come at 7 p.m. Thursday, when the team plays Louisiana. The U.S. Final is on Saturday.

Loudoun South advanced from the traditionally competitive Southeast Region, getting past teams from Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

The team won its first two games in Williamsport without allowing a hit, which makes Loudoun South only the second team from the United States to pitch back-to-back no-hitters in the Little League World Series.

A team from the United States has won the LLWS 35 times, but no team from Maryland or Virginia (which compete in the Mid-Atlantic Region) has ever won. The only time a team from Virginia has made it to the International Final was in 1968, when Tuckahoe Little League, from Richmond, fell to Japan.

HERE’S THE REST OF THE LITTLE LEAGUE SCHEDULE

Game 25: Willemstad (Curacao) vs. South Chungcheong (South Korea), 3 p.m.Game 26: River Ridge (La.) vs. South Riding (Va.), 7 p.m.Game 27: Chofu City (Japan) vs. Game 25 winner (International final), 12:30 p.m.Game 28: Wailuku (Hawaii) vs. Game 26 winner (U.S. final), 3:30 p.m.Game 29: Game 27 loser vs. Game 28 loser, 10 a.m.Game 30: Game 27 winner vs. Game 28 winner, 3 p.m.WTOP’s Rob Woodfork and John Domen, who reported from Williamsport, Pennsylvania, contributed to this report.

All Times EDT
At South Williamsport, Pa.
Thursday, Aug. 22
Saturday, Aug. 24
Sunday, Aug. 25
Third Place
Championship

J. Brooks

J. Brooks is a Sports Anchor and Reporter with years of experience not only in the DMV but nationally through Westwood One, ESPN, CBS and SiriusXM. J., striving to be a cartoon voice, is also an actor appearing in many films and TV shows and who entertains the newsroom with his many impressions.

South Riding, Va.,m pitcher Justin Lee (22) wipes his face after giving up a grand slam to River Ridge, La.’s Reece Roussel during the fourth inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019. (AP/Tom E. Puskar)
South Riding, Va., starting pitcher Justin Lee collects himself on the mound during the third inning of the team’s baseball game against River Ridge, La., at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019. Louisiana won 10-0. (AP/Gene J. Puskar)
South Riding, Va.’s Chase Obstgarten collects himself on the mound during the fifth inning of the team’s baseball game against River Ridge, La., at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019.Louisiana won 10-0 in five innings. (AP/Gene J. Puskar)
South Riding, Va.’s Justin Lee delivers during the first inning of the team’s baseball game against River Ridge, La., at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019. (AP/Gene J. Puskar)
South Riding, Virginia’s right fielder Michael Bowden (3) catches a ball hit by River Ridge, Louisiana’s Conner Perrot during the first inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa., Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019. (AP/Tom E. Puskar)
South Riding, Virginia’s catcher Noah Culpepper, Brady Yates (15), pitcher Justin Lee (22) and Chase Obstgarten (17) meet on the pitchers mound against River Ridge, Louisiana during the first inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa., Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019. River Ridge, Louisiana won the game 10-0. (AP/Tom E. Puskar)
South Riding, Virginia’s Brody Harris (14), Michael Bowden (3), Joe Ross (5) and Matt Coleman (1) watch from the dugout against River Ridge, Louisiana during the fifth inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa., Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019. River Ridge, Louisiana won the game 10-0. (AP/Tom E. Puskar)
South Riding, Virginia’s pitcher Justin Lee tags out River Ridge, Louisiana’s Derek DeLatte (7) before he reaches first base as first baseman Matt Coleman, left, watches during the third inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa., Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019. River Ridge, Louisiana won the game 10-0. (AP/Tom E. Puskar)
River Ridge, Louisiana pitcher Marshall Louque, right, celebrates with Egan Prather, center, after a 10-0 win over South Riding, Virginia in an elimination baseball game at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa., Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019. Louque pitched a no-hitter in the win. (AP/Gene J. Puskar)
River Ridge, Louisiana’s Conner Perrot (9) is surrounded by teammates after driving in the tenth run of the game, and the game winner during the fifth inning of an elimination baseball game against South Riding, Virginia at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa., Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019. River Ridge, Louisiana won 10-0. (AP/Gene J. Puskar)
River Ridge, Louisiana’s Conner Perrot, center, is surrounded by teammates after driving in the tenth run of the game, and the game winner during the fifth inning of an elimination baseball game against South Riding, Virginia at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa., Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019. River Ridge, Louisiana won 10-0. (AP/Gene J. Puskar)
loudoun south, little league
The Loudoun South Little League team warms up before a U.S. Final game against Wailuku, Hawaii on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019. (WTOP/John Domen)
South Riding, Virginia’s Noah Culpepper, left, celebrates with Kian Henson after Henson’s double against Wailuku, Hawaii during the third inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa., Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019. (AP/Tom E. Puskar)
South Riding, Va.,pitcher Brady Yates reacts after giving up three runs to Wailuku, Hawaii, during the fifth inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019. (AP/Tom E. Puskar)
Wailuku, Hawaii’s Nakea Kahalehau (9) scores as he slides under the tag of South Riding, Va., catcher Noah Culpepper during the first inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019. (AP/Tom E. Puskar)
South Riding, Virginia’s Colton Hicks (9) drives in a run with a triple off Wailuku, Hawaii’s Kaedyn Miyake-Matsubayashi (6) during the first inning of an baseball game at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa., Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019. (AP/Gene J. Puskar)
Wailuku, Hawaii’s Bransyn Hong (22) throws to first after getting the force out on South Riding, Va.’s Brady Yates during the first inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019. Virginia’s Justin Lee was safe at first. (AP/Gene J. Puskar)
Wailuku, Hawaii’s Shiloh Gilliland (13) celebrates on second base near South Riding, Va.’s Chase Obstgarten (17) after driving in two runs with a double off pitcher Liam Thyen during the first inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019. (AP/Gene J. Puskar)
Wailuku, Hawaii’s Nakea Kahalehau, right, scores ahead of the tag by South Riding, Va.’s Noah Culpepper during the first inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019. (AP/Gene J. Puskar)
South Riding, Va.’s Justin Lee delivers during the first inning of the team’s baseball game against Wailuku, Hawaii, at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019. (AP/Gene J. Puskar)
South Riding, Virginia’s Chase Obstgarten (17) is tagged out attempting to steal home by Wailuku, Hawaii’s Duke Aloy during the third inning of an baseball game at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa., Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019. (AP/Gene J. Puskar)
South Riding, Va.’s Chase Obstgarten, left, is tagged out attempting to steal home by Wailuku, Hawaii’s Duke Aloy, center, with umpire Matthew Bingaman watching during the third inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019. Hawaii won 12-9. (AP/Gene J. Puskar)
Wailuku, Hawaii, shortstop Bransyn Hong throws to first after forcing out South Riding, Va.’s Brady Yates (15) at second base during the first inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019. (AP/Tom E. Puskar)
South Riding, Va.’s Liam Thyen (8) stands in the outfield after being removed from the pitching mound, with Joe Ross, left, and Noah Culpepper during the third inning of a baseball game against Wailuku, Hawaii, at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019. (AP/Tom E. Puskar)
Wailuku, Hawaii’s Nakea Kahalehau, left, scores under the tag by South Riding, Va.’s Noah Culpepper during the first inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019. Hawaii won 12-9. (AP/Gene J. Puskar)
Wailuku, Hawaii’s Marley Sebastian, left, scores on a wild pitch as the throw from South Riding, Va., catcher Noah Culpepper gets past pitcher Chase Obstgarten, allowing a second run to score during the third inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019. Hawaii won 12-9. (AP/Gene J. Puskar)
South Riding, Va.’s Chase Obstgarten, left, is tagged out attempting to steal home by Wailuku, Hawaii’s Duke Aloy, center, with umpire Matthew Bingaman watching during the third inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019. Hawaii won 12-9. (AP/Gene J. Puskar)
Wailuku, Hawaii’s Marley Sebastian, left, scores on a wild pitch as the throw from South Riding, Va., catcher Noah Culpepper gets past pitcher Chase Obstgarten, right, allowing a second run to score during the third inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019. Hawaii won 12-9. (AP/Gene J. Puskar)
South Riding, Virginia’s starting pitcher Justin Lee (22) reacts after Wailuku, Hawaii scores three runs during the first inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa., Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019. (AP/Tom E. Puskar)
Wailuku, Hawaii’s Nakea Kahalehau reaches first base safely as the ball gets away from South Riding, Virginia’s first baseman Liam Thyen (8) during the sixth inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa., Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019. (AP/Tom E. Puskar)
South Riding, Virginia’s Noah Culpepper (2) stands on third base and celebrates his teammates Kian Henson double against Wailuku, Hawaii during the third inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa., Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019. (AP/Tom E. Puskar)
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