Cameron Thorning’s grand slam helps Michigan pull off comeback win vs. Texas at Little League World Series
Ella Bruning’s signature pigtail hairstyle served as an unofficial pep squad for the team, leading various cheers and chants throughout the game.
“Our support that has traveled all the way out here is just awesome,” said Texas manager Reggie Regala. “Several of our family and fans drove 24 hours all the way out here and it’s awesome the support that we have back home and that we have out here.”
For a moment, it seemed like Texas might run away with the victory. The team put up three more runs in the top of the second inning, giving them a 5-0 lead. However, the five-run margin didn’t last long. Thorning hit his grand slam in the bottom of the second, reducing the deficit to 5-4.
For Little League World Series’ Ella Bruning and family, baseball is just ‘part of our DNA’
‘WHATEVER IT TAKES:’ Major leaguers relish opportunity to play in front of Little Leaguers
Texas remained scoreless through the remainder of the game. After the second inning, the team had only one hit, and Michigan’s second pitcher, Gavin Ulin, struck out four batters in 4 ⅓ innings pitched.
“Hats off to Michigan,” Regala said. “They changed the right pitching at the right time and we just couldn’t get the sticks going to connect.”
Michigan landed nine hits to Texas’ five, they also earned two clutch runs when they needed them most: at the bottom of the fifth inning.
With runners on second and third, Jaxon Shufeldt hit a ground out that brought Jackson Surma home. Texas then had a fatal error between first baseman Brody Martin and Bruning at catcher that allowed Jakob Furkas to sprint across the plate.