Torrance Wins, 3-2; Can Still Finish 3rd

Kevin Campbell scored on a balk with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning to give Central Torrance a 3-2 victory over Asbury Park, N.J., in a placement bracket game at the Little League Senior Division World Series for 14- and 15-year-olds at Kissimmee, Fla. on Thursday.

Central Torrance will play Center Grove, Ind., at 2 p.m. today. Center Grove dropped into the placement bracket after a 11-2 loss to the Dominican Republic.

The winner of today’s game will advance to the third-place game at 8 a.m. Saturday.

Justin Miller pitched a two-hitter in Central Torrance’s victory. Miller, who retired 18 of the last 19 batters he faced, gave up only one earned run and had seven strikeouts.

Asbury Park, which was eliminated, took a 1-0 lead when pitcher Greg Purcell doubled to score Andre Richardson in the first.

But Central Torrance tied the score in the bottom of the inning when Campbell led off with a walk, stole second base and scored on a single by Anthony Martinez.

Trailing, 2-1, in the fifth, Central Torrance tied the score again when Johnny Thompson led off with a single and scored on a triple by Campbell.

Campbell led off the eighth with a double and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Jeff Ruth before Purcell was called for a balk.

It was Central Torrance’s second victory of the tournament against Asbury Park. Central Torrance defeated Asbury Park, 4-2, in a loser’s bracket game Tuesday.