Little League World Series: Hays powers Torrance past Ohio
By Orange County on August 22, 2021
Hamilton, Ohio right fielder Gavin Saylor (12) makes a diving catch on ball hit by Torrance, Calif.’s Skylar Vinson during while Gage Maggard (5) watches the fifth inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)
Torrance, Calif.’s Grant Hays (22) flexes as rounds the bases on his three-run home run off of Torrance, Calif. pitcher Cooper Oden during the third inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021. California won the game 11-0. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)
Torrance, Calif.’s Xavier Navarro (7) delivers a pitch against Torrance, Calif. during the first inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)
Hamilton, Ohio’s Kaleb Harden (10) celebrates after getting a double off of Torrance, Calif. pitcher Xavier Navarro during the first inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)
Torrance, Calif. shortstop Gibson Turner (19) forces of Hamilton, Ohio’s JJ Vogel (23) at second base during the first inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)
Torrance, Calif.’s Grant Hays (22) connects with a pitch from Hamilton, Ohio’s Cooper Oden for a three-run homerun during the third inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021. California won the game 11-0. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)
Torrance, Calif.’s Grant Hays (22) rounds the bases on his three-run homerun off of Torrance, Calif. pitcher Cooper Oden (24) during the third inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021. California won the game 11-0. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)
Hamilton, Ohio’s JJ Vogel (23) stretches to get Torrance, Calif.’s Kaishu Harrison (12) out at first base during the third inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021. California won the game 9-0. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)
Torrance, Calif.’s Dominic Golia (18) and pitcher Xavier Navarro (7) smile as the run off the field after Navarro caught a line drive back to the mound off the bat of Hamilton, Ohio’s Kaleb Harden during the third inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)
Torrance, Calif. right fielder Elias Emerson (21) catches a ball off the bat of Hamilton, Ohio’s JJ Vogel (23) during the fourth inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Torrance Little League’s Grant Hays lived up to the reputation of eating fastballs for breakfast as he broke the early game open with a towering three-run home run in the third inning.
Hays followed that up with a similar shot to left field in the top of the sixth to drive two more runs home. Hays led the offense with two home runs to help Torrance move on with a 9-0 win over Ohio.
Torrance pitcher Xavier Navarro did the rest to hold Ohio down and push Torrance Little League, the first team from Los Angeles County to reach the series since 1994, through to the third round.
Navarro was outstanding, retiring 13 consecutive batters at one point to help lead Torrance to the win.
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