Chicago’s all Black Jackie Robinson West Little League team.
Chicago’s all Black Jackie Robinson West team beat Las Vegas, 7-5, in the United States Championship game at the Little League World Series on Aug. 23.
With the win, the team advances to play the winner of the International Championship game in the Little League World Series (LLWS) Championship on Aug. 24.
Josh Houston got the start at pitcher for Jackie Robinson West, and ran into trouble in the top of first inning. Houston gave up a three-run RBI double to Drew Laspaluto that put Las Vegas up 3-0, but eventually dealt three strikeouts to get off the field.
Jackie Robinson West cut the lead to 3-2 after Trey Hondras nailed a two-run homer in the bottom of the first. They then tied the game after another RBI hit from Darian Radcliffe just moments later.
Jackie Robinson West took a 4-3 lead not long after and Houston settled in to throw a nearly flawless performance through the next three innings. That ended when Brad Stone hammered a two-run home run to give Las Vegas the lead back, 5-4, in the top of the fifth inning.
Jackie Robinson West rallied with an RBI single in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game 5-5 and followed with two more RBI singles to push the lead to 7-5. They then finished the game off in the top of the sixth inning with a beautiful double play to claim the United States LLWS championship.
