WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. From the first pitch of Sunday's Mid-Atlantic Region Tournament championship game, Robbie Payne made it clear that South Caroline Little League from Preston, Md., deserved to be in the 58th Little League Baseball World Series which begins Friday.
Payne hit a solo home run leading off the top of the first inning, and belted a two-run homer in the second inning.
Then, he shut down Deep Run Valley Little League of Hilltown, Pa., by tossing a complete game, allowing just one run on five hits to help the South Caroline Little League defeat Hilltown, Pa., 4-1 to win the Mid-Atlantic championship and advance to the LLWS.
After staking his team to a 3-0 lead, Payne and Deep Run pitcher Sean Coyle engaged in apitcher's duel.
Coyle went the distance, allowing three hits, while striking out eight, and walking five. Payne, who threw a no-hitter in the regional, struck out six, and walked two.
Coyle contributed to Deep Run's only run, hitting a sacrifice fly to score Tim Eversole in the third inning.
Payne worked out of a bases loaded situation in that inning. South Caroline added a run in the sixth inning when Thomas Howe was hit by a pitch and scored on a throwing error.
South Caroline Little League finished the Mid-Atlantic Region Tournament with as 4-2 record, and is the fifth team from Maryland to reach the Little League Baseball World Series.
The last Maryland team in the World Series was Brunswick Little League of Brunswick, Md., in 1986. Maryland has never played for the LLWS championship.
The rest of the field for the 2004 Little League Baseball World Series is Lincoln, R.I.; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Saudi Arabia; Thousand Oaks, Calif.; Redmond, Wash.; Lamar Little League, Richmond, Texas; Owensboro, Ky.; Davenport, Iowa; Morganton, N.C.; Kutno, Poland; Panama City, Panama; Chinese Taipei; Saipan, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands; Curacao, Netherlands Antilles and Guadalupe, Mexico.
The LLWS for 11-12-year-olds will be played in Williamsport, Aug. 20-29. ABC will televise the LLWS U.S. championship game on Aug. 28, at 7:30 p.m.
The LLWS world championship game of the Little League Baseball World Series will be shown on ABC at 6:30 p.m., on Aug. 29.
Forrest City's Oak Hill Church of God will host a "Play Day" Saturday, Aug. 28, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Ministry Center/Gym, 343 Barrow Hill Road.
A "3-on-3" basketball tournament for age divisions fourth-grade through 12th grade will be held as will a Hoop Shoot Contest, featuring a free-throw shooting and Hot Shot competition.
A Horse Shoe Tournament for all age divisions through adult willbe held and a dunkin' booth will be set up.
All of the competitions will use a double-elimination style bracket.
All proceeds will benefit the upcoming LifeBuilder's Men's Conference scheduled for Sept. 17-18 at the church.
For more information or to enter, call Fred 870-238-0022 or the church office at 633-7331.
The Forrest City Junior Mustangs will begin their second full week of summer drills today. The team opens the 2004 season on Sept. 2, when they host Marianna. The Junior Mustangs have close to 50 players on roster.