Northridge Rains Hits on Yabucoa in a 15-3 Victory

TAYLOR, Mich. — The only suspense surrounding Northridge’s game with Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, during Thursday night’s Junior League World Series was whether it would end before rain came.

It did. But the game virtually was over soon after it began.

A nine-run first inning gave the U.S. West representative enough of a cushion to settle for a 15-3 victory in a game shortened to five innings by a mercy rule.

The victory puts Northridge (18-3) in today’s consolation semifinal against Hermosillo, Mexico, at noon (PDT). If Northridge wins twice today and twice Saturday, it will win the tournament championship.

Going through the loser’s bracket doesn’t bother Tim Cunningham.

“Cocky is not the word for 13-year-old kids when they’ve been in this situation before,” the manager said. “You can’t print that word. But there’s some confidence, bordering on arrogance.”

Northridge shelled three pitchers in the first, collecting six hits and six walks.

Nathaniel Dunlap’s two-run double gave Northridge a 7-0 lead. Spencer Gordon doubled home Matt Fisher and Dunlap scored on a wild pitch.

Fisher and Dunlap each had two hits and scored four runs. Gordon had three hits and drove in four runs.

Northridge finished with 12 hits and had eight walks.

Kameron Loe pitched a five-hitter and struck out five.