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Starting pitcher Ryan Land’s two-run double in the fifth inning helped secure Massapequa Coast’s 10-1 win over Rhode Island this weekend in its opening game at Little League Baseball’s Metro Region Tournament.
The New York state champs are now just two wins away from a second consecutive trip to the Little League World Series. Massapequa Coast is playing New Jersey tournament representative East Hanover in a 1 p.m. matchup today in Bristol, Connecticut.
The winner of today’s game, on ESPN, advances to the Metro Region championship on Friday, while the loser will play Wednesday against Rhode Island for a chance to play in the title game.
On Saturday, Land gave up just one run in 5.2 innings pitched against Rhode Island champ Smithfield. His clutch double came with the bases loaded and put Massapequa up 6-1. It was part of a seven-run fifth inning that broke the game open.
Earlier that day, East Hanover defeated Connecticut’s East Lyme, 3-0.
The Metro Region champion moves on to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, beginning Aug. 16.
Massapequa Coast Little League’s 12U team has won the New York state title three consecutive seasons.
Massapequa Coast’s 2022 12U team reached the Little League World Series, during which they lost to Honolulu, 12-0, and to Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, 7-1.
Top image: YouTube/Little League still
