Todd Frazier and Gabe Gardner both had homeruns to put Toms River, New Jersey in the Little League World Series Saturday afternoon.

Gardner’s shot came in the first after Scott Fisher hit a RBI double. The two-run homer gave the East a 3-0 lead.

"It felt really good to run the bases," Gardner said.

The South came back with one in the bottom of the first and another in the third on Justin Hardee’s solo homerun.

The game stayed at 3-2 until the sixth when Frazier came up with one on and two out. He belted a homerun thirty feet beyond the fence in centerfield.

Then it was up to Fisher to close the door in the sixth. He gave up two base hits and got Alex White to fly out to center to end the game.

"The team feels confident when Scott’s on the mound," Frazier said. "In fact, everyone in the crowd feels confident as well."

"Everyone was pumped up and it helped me throw strikes," Fisher said. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I realized how special this really was."

The South finishes with a 2-2 record. Alex White pitched another fine game for the Southern Regional Champions.

"I’m extremely proud of the boys and I’m proud to be here," said Wayne Hardee, manager of the South. They did a fine job and we would like to thank all the fans for their support."

Saturday’s final will feature Toms Rivers, New Jersey against Kashima, Japan. While the East prepares for Japan, the South will participate in the hitting contest and the All-Star Game.

--Mark Rogoff
   Special Correspondent