Their final game of the Little League World Series Tuesday gave the world a better look at why the Logan County Little League All-Stars were able to overcome the odds to be a part of the ultimate youth sports experience.
After being shut out by lopsided scores in their first two games, the team ESPN called 'Russellville' played on even terms with New Englad Region champion Peabody, Mass. in all but one ill-fated inning.
Peabody scored nine runs in the bottom of the third inning to break a 1-1 tie, but Logan battled back and forced Massachusettes to use all six innings to record to 12-3 verdict.
Both teams had been eliminated from semifinal competition during the weekend, losing by a combined by 51-1 to powerful teams from Chula Vista, Calif. and San Antonio, Texas. Tuesday night Texas beat California 6-3 to win the pool. Texas earned the top seed and the right to play Staten Island, N.Y. in one USA semifinal with Chula Vista taking on former champion Warner Robbins, Ga. in the other.
Logan had played outstanding defense against those two offensive titans, making only one error in each game. Yet Manager Kevin Gettings team had trouble keeping Chula Vista and San Antonio from mauling the ball. On the other hand, Logan managed only three hits combined in the first two losses. They got a single from Ian Woodall and a walk by Tucker Baldwin in the opener. In the Texas game, Barrett Croslin and Caleb Bruner started play with singles, only to be stranded. Logan only managed two more baserunners the rest of the game, when Joe Holliday reached on an error and on a walk worked by Woodall.
In the finale, however, many of those problems were reversed. Consider these facts:
*Logan not only scored its first run of the series, but had the lead for an inning and a half.
*The Kentucky state champions picked up 6 hits and had 13 baserunners.
*After falling behind in what could have been a demoralizing inning, they came back to score another pair of runs in the fourth inning instead of hanging their heads and quitting.
*Eight of the ten players reached base at least once.
*Two of the guys who worked on the mound pitched very well.
*Leftfielder Baldwin made some spectacular catches in the outfield.
*Throughout the tournament, the team maintained poise, dignity and class despite adversity.
Logan scored in the top of the first inning when Barrett Croslin reached on a two-base error by the Peabody shortstop. After an out, starting pitcher Matt Harper singled to centerfield. Croslin tried to score on the play but was out on a rundown between home and third base. Woodall followed with an RBI single with Harper's run making it 1-0.
Harper gave up a single to Massachusettes starter Austin Batchelor, but he struck out two batters and got a pop-up to Croslin at short to maintain the lead.
Logan loaded the bases in the second inning. Daniel Beaty singled and Jacob Wood beat out a beautiful bunt before Croslin was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Batchelor, however, got Bruner to hit into a fielder's choice at third base to end the threat.
Peabody tied the game with two outs in the bottom of the second. After J.J. Layton hit a bloop double into shallow leftcenter, he scored when Cody Wlasur's dribbler down the third base line was thrown away. An ESPN replay showed the ball should have been called foul, since it hit the batter in the leg, but none of the umpires saw that happen and video replays aren't used in the tournament for the confirmation/reversal of calls.
The third inning was all Peabody. Logan's batters went down 1-2-3 on just nine pitches. In the bottom of the innings, Gettings replaced Harper on the mound with Croslin, who had pitched the win in the regional championship game and who was the starter in the World Series opener. He continued to throw strikes, but Peabody was putting the ball in play. The Massachusettes team scored nine runs on seven hits, two walks and an infield error before Bruner came to the mound to get the third out. Thirteen batters went to the plate in the fatal inning.
Russellville came back to score two runs after two outs in the top of the fourth. Desmon Quarles was hit by a pitch, and Baldwin walked before Croslin and Bruner followed with singles, driving in Quarles and Baldwin. Those runs were important in avoiding the game being shortened by the 10-run rule.
The Kentuckians threatened again in the fifth inning when Woodall led off with his second hit of the game and third of the Series. After a strikeout, Zach Denney grounded out to short, and Woodall was thrown out first-to-third as Logan's attempt at aggressive base running proved futile for the second time in the game.
Logan also had two base runners in the final inning. After an out, Quarles-- whose line drive had been snagged by the California third baseman to end the first game-- lined a solid hit to the outfield. A second strikeout drew the end near, but Croslin reached base for the fourth time in the game on a walk. He and Quarles moved up on a wild pitch, but the Series action for both first-time qualifiers ended with a Logan batter striking out for the eighth time in the contest.
For the tournament, 208 of the 329 pitches thrown by Logan's five pitchers were strikes, but their three opponents got 49 hits on those strikes, including 12 home runs. Logan hurlers walked only 8 batters  The Kentuckians, however, managed only 9 hits themselves for the tournament.
Seven of the nine runs Croslin gave up in the final game were unearned because of an infield error on the leadoff batter. Only one other of the 39 runs the opponents scored was unearned, since Logan made only four errors in the Series.
Some team members planned to stay in Williamsburg for the remaining games of the World Series, which also includes eight teams from other countries.
The LoJo  will have further reactions from the World Series in later commentaries.







Jennifer Harlan Capps  You have captured the hearts of America! You make us all proud to call Logan County home! Your testimony and spirit have been felt around the world. Thanks for being the All-Stars your parents raised you to be!
Shenea Davis   Good job guys!! You did great representing Russellville and the Great Lakes!! You made some great lasting memories!! Anybody else notice how the announcers changed their tone this game after all of the rude comments they made the last 2 games!
Julie Lawson   So proud of you boys, you have made such an impression. You all are #1 in my book, and have made Logan County proud. Represented Great Lakes region, Kentucky and Logan County with great sportsmanship and by being such gentlemen, Thank You!!!
Hold your heads up high!!!!
Jessica White Robey   We are so proud of you guys and have enjoyed watching you play and cheering you on - you have made all of Logan County so proud and I know we'll see many more great things from each of you.
Ben Pape   You guys have done a awesome job of showing your heart in these games and leaving it all on the field. Keep your heads held high you have so much to be thankful for and proud of. And we are all proud of you. God bless you and keep you safe.