Rye Little League Braves Earn Spot in Championship

The Rye Little League Braves defeated the Giants 5-4 Tuesday earning themselves a spot on Championship Saturday.

The Braves jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first inning threatening to score with the bases loaded but strong pitching from the Giants Greg Schoeman kept the game close.

The Giants then rallied for three runs in the top of the third with key hits from Johnny O'Keefe and Owen Fearon.

Timely hitting from Aidan Lavelle and James McHugh in the bottom of the inning, however, put the Braves up 5-3.

George Kirby then gave the Giants big momentum with a towering homerun in the sixth that cut the Braves lead to 5-4.

But the momentum wouldn't last long, as Trevor Johnson was able to shut down the Giants in relief, and hold on for the victory.

Braves Coach Julia Rogers was happy with her team's  hard work.

"Everyone chipped in tonight," she said. "It was an all around team effort."

Schoeman pitched five solid innings in a losing effort, only giving up two runs to the Braves.

Braves Pitcher Patrick Rogers held the Giants to three runs in a stellar pitching performance.

The Braves will play the Rangers in the championship game for the Major division at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday at Grainger Field.

Rye Little League President Myles Lavelle provided the information for this story.