New Jersey Team Will Face Japan

There are plenty of reasons why Toms River, N.J., Manager Mike Gaynor wants his team to bat first.

He got a few good reasons Thursday night when Scott Fisher doubled in a run in the top of the first and Gabe Gardner followed with a two-run home run on the way to a 5-2 victory over Greenville, N.C., and Toms River’s first berth in the Little League World Series final.

“That’s the idea,” said Gaynor, whose team has managed to be the visitor 27 consecutive times this year. “You’re up 3-0 and it kind of takes the wind out of their sails.”

Todd Frazier hit his third home run of the series, a two-run shot in the sixth inning.

In Saturday’s final, Toms River faces Kashima, Japan, which became the first team from Japan to reach a Series final in 22 years by beating Langley, Canada, 3-2, in eight innings.

The Far East champion survived Jeff Duda’s spectacular pitching performance. He gave up two earned runs and struck out 17.

Greenville pulled to 3-2 on Justin Hardee’s third-inning home run, but could get no more from Fisher, New Jersey’s No. 1 starter.

“Their pitcher has a nice curve and he just shut us down,” said Hardee, who hit three homers this week.

“I just want to go out and have fun and even if we do lose, we’re still No. 1 in the U.S.,” Frazier said.

“We’re not going to lose, Todd,” Gaynor quickly interjected.