OFFENSE EARLY, DEFENSE LATE IN MARATHON

The U.S. East Region champion Toms River, New Jersey and U.S. Central Region champion Jenison, Michigan combined for 18 in the first six innings. That total would stand until the 11th inning when New Jersey scored four runs.

In the longest game in Little League World Series history, both in time and innings, 13,800 fans saw 22 runs and 26 hits in 11 innings with New Jersey being victorious.

"Everyone got their money’s worth tonight" said Mike Gaynor, manager of the East Region champion.

The unlikely hero from tonight’s game was New Jersey catcher Brad Frank. The nine hitter went 4-5 including the hit to score the go-ahead and eventual game-winning run in the 11^th.

Other highlights in the game include four homeruns. For Michigan, Derek Stempin hit two, including one to tie it up in the bottom of the sixth with an 0-2 count and two outs to keep his team alive, and Billy Miller hit a two-run blast. For the East Region, lead-off hitter Todd Frazier hit a grand slam in the third to put them in a 6-4 lead.

"It’s definitely been a while since I’ve had four hits in a game," said Frank.

Other highlights in the game include four homeruns. For Michigan, Derek Stempin hit two, including one to tie it up in the bottom of the sixth with an 0-2 count and two outs to keep his team alive, and Billy Miller hit a two-run blast. For the East Region, lead-off hitter Todd Frazier hit a grand slam in the third to put them in a 6-4 lead.

Game time was three hours and 11 minutes.

-- Mark Rogoff
Special Correspondant