BANGOR, Maine — It may be a David vs. Goliath finale Saturday for the Senior League World Series championship.
West University Little League of Houston, Texas, will attempt to make history, with the U.S. Southwest champions attempting to become the first American team to win back-to-back crowns and three SLWS titles overall.
West University, with 11 players back from its 2014 squad, also won the world championship in 2009.
“Last year when we put the team together it was based on pitching and I had the same group back and that’s what’s carried us, along with defense,” said West University manager Clint Sauls after his team’s 4-1 semifinal victory over Upper Moreland, Pennsylvania, on Thursday. “It’s a pretty good recipe.”
Holmes County, Ohio, the U.S. Central representative, will try to win its state’s first SLWS championship since 1987 with a roster made up of players from Hiland High School, enrollment 280.
“We’re going to have our hands full, but it’s down to seven innings,” said Holmes County manager Mike Yoder after his team remained the only unbeaten squad in this year’s SLWS with a 9-2 semifinal victory over host Old Town on Thursday night.
Six-foot-six left hander Joe Gobillot is expected to get the pitching start for 4-1 West University and will have the rare chance to win a SLWS championship game for the second straight year after scattering four runs during his team’s 7-4 victory over Curacao in last year’s final.
He pitched 5⅓ hitless innings in his previous SLWS start this week as West University defeated Dumfries, Virginia, 8-2 on Monday.
“The good thing about Joe is he pitched in the championship game last year so this won’t be new to him,” said Sauls.
Holmes County (3-0) is expected to counter with right hander Bryan Yoder, who pitched 5⅔ scoreless innings in his team’s 13-2 victory over Old Town on Tuesday.
“We always talk about doing the little things right, and if we can do the little things right and the pitcher throws strikes … we’re going to take our shot,” said Mike Yoder, Bryan’s father. “It’s a challenge. There’s no question we’ll go into Saturday the underdogs, but that’s OK with us. We’ll come out and fight hard. That’s what we’re like.”
