Courtesy American Legion Baseball
Carpetland/Lincoln East advanced to the semifinals of the American Legion World Series with a 4-2 win over Whitehouse, N.J. Lincoln East clinched a runner-up finish in the Stripes pool, advancing to the four-team, single-elimination championship bracket. The Rugs will play at 6 p.m. Monday against Midland, Mich., the winner of the Stars pool.
Sunday, both teams tallied a run in the first inning. Then in the top of the fourth, Brodie McIntire lined an RBI double to center, driving in Jackson Makovicka to give Lincoln East a 2-1 lead. Later in the inning, McIntyre scored on a wild pitch, pushing the lead to 3-1. Whitehouse, N.J. scored a run in the bottom of the fifth to cut the lead to one, but an RBI single to left Bradyn Erickson in the sixth gave Lincoln East a critical insurance run to clinch the victory.
Fisher Irons earned the win, allowing two earned runs in five innings with three hits while striking out seven. Kalai Larsen earned the save with two no-hit, shutout innings. McIntire paced the offense from the leadoff spot, hitting 3-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Erickson also drove in two runs from the cleanup spot.
Carpetland’s semifinal game on Monday will be televised on ESPNU.