BANGOR, Maine — Defending champ U.S. Southwest of Texas secured the final semifinal spot in the Senior League World Series with a 4-2 victory over U.S. Southeast of Virginia Wednesday night at Mansfield Stadium.
U.S. Southwest of Houston will take on U.S. East of Upper Moreland, Pennsylvania, at 5 p.m. Thursday in the first semifinal, followed by Maine District 3 champ Old Town against U.S. Central of Ohio at 8 p.m.
Houston rallied for two sixth-inning runs to snap a 2-2 tie and secure its victory.
Jimmy Winston turned in a strong pitching effort to pick up the victory as he went 6 ⅔ innings and reached the 95 pitch-count limit. He scattered five hits and two walks while striking out 12.
Jacob Millender came on to strike out the last batter to earn the save.
In afternoon action, Marcel Bachelier’s RBI single to right field in the bottom of the eighth inning lifted U.S. West champ Arizona to a 6-5 win over Europe-Africa champ Italy.
It was the first win for Nogales, Arizona, which finished the tourney with a 1-2 mark while Lazio, Italy, ended at 1-3.
Mark Lopez scored the winning run for Arizona after slamming a one-out double to left. A hit batsman and intentional walk then loaded the bases for Bachelier, who delivered.
Bachelier finished with three singles and two RBIs for Arizona, and Lopez chipped in with a double and single and Alec Acevedo added a double. Kevin Jimenez contributed a triple, RBI and two runs. Jesus Lopez and Rafael Padilla each drove in a run.
Jimenez picked up the pitching win with three innings of relief.
Gabriele Vincenti sparked Italy with a triple, single and three RBIs. Federico Proletti chipped in with two singles, and Francesco Faccendini and Andrea Bressi each drove in a run.
In the morning contest, Latin America champ Curacao received strong pitching efforts from Siamari Boekhoudt and Geedion Jakob to beat Canadian champ Saskatchewan 6-1.
Boekhoudt gave up just a hit and a run in five innings while walking four and striking out two. Jakob came on to pitch two scoreless, hitless innings. He didn’t allow a walk and struck out two.
Ralison Bentura backed up his pitchers with a triple, single and two RBIs. Jakob chipped in with two singles while Christopher Koelman, Rodolfo Rodriguez, Alexander Henrietta and Jisjar Clotida each drove in a run. Dayton Biegel added a double.
Curacao finished the tourney with a 2-2 record, and Saskatchewan ended at 0-3.