WILLISTON, N.D. - Tuesday wasn't a banner performance for Walker Wilson, but Southeast still managed to pull out an 11-7 victory over Lynn, Massachusetts representing the New England regional in seven innings at Ardean Aafedt Stadium. Wilson allowed five in 3 2/3, but the bullpen gave up two runs and the offense banged out 10 to pick up the slack and secure the win for Southeast.
The teams traded runs for most of the contest, leading to eight lead changes in the game.
Southeast took the lead in the seventh inning and held on for the victory. An error scored Tyler Borges and gave Southeast the lead for good. Wilson racked up two RBIs on three hits for Southeast. He singled in the first, fourth, and seventh innings. Raymond Rice looked sharp on the bump. New England managed just one hit off of Rice, who allowed one earned run, walked one and struck out five during his 3 1/3 innings of work to earn the win.
Davin Barnard, Jr. was charged with the loss. He allowed 11 runs in 6 1/3 innings, walked four and struck out four.
Southeast jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first. The Southeast attack began with a single from Tyler Sims. Southeast then tacked on more runs when Sims scored on a fielder's choice and Borges scored on an RBI single by Wilson.
New England brought home two runs in the third inning, and matched that run total in the fourth. In the third, New England scored on a sacrifice fly by Christian Burt, bringing home Kevin Durant.
After posting one run in the fifth, Southeast again scored one in the sixth. In the fifth, Southeast scored on an RBI single by Mark Thornhill, scoring Tyler Sims.
Walker Wilson was name player of the game for TLBR. TLBR plays again tomorrow at noon against the champions from the Middle Atlantic regional. Both teams are 3-0. The winner get the automatic bye in the elimination round
