Pennsylvania Little League Team Advances

Bob Shannon struck out 14 and Shippensburg, Pa., clung to the lead it had taken two days earlier to advance to the semifinals of the rain-soaked Little League World Series with a 3-1 victory over Mobile, Ala., today.

Shannon struck out three in the sixth inning, including two in a row after allowing two infield singles.

Chris Driskell struck out nine for Mobile, which had protested starting the game in steady drizzle and rain Wednesday.

Rains have occurred so often this week that the championship game has been moved from Saturday afternoon for the first time. It will be played Sunday afternoon.

Shippensburg, the first team from Pennsylvania to play in the World Series since 1969, took a 3-0 lead during the rain Wednesday. Jimmy Smith, Mike Ocker and Gregg Mellott scored in the top of the third after reaching first base on a single to center and two infield singles toward third.

Smith scored on Jason Phillips’ throwing error at third, Ocker scored on David Orndorff’s sacrifice bunt and Mellott scored on Chris Driskell’s wild pitch.