Auburn drops Little League World Series opener; next up: Minnesota
August 20, 2010 · Updated 3:58 PM
Jack Quinn's two-run double in the fifth inning powered Fairfield, Conn., to a 3-1 victory over Auburn in an ESPN-televised first-round game of the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., on Friday.
Auburn will play Midwest representative Plymouth, Minn., in second-round pool play at 5 p.m. Saturday (ESPN). Minnesota dropped its series opener, 10-8, to the Southwest All-Stars from Pearland, Texas.
Auburn is assured three pool play games in the double-elimination tournament.
Auburn, making its first visit to the World Series, tied the game at 1-1 in the fourth inning on Robbie Wilson's single to center field that scored Casey Manning who also singled.
But Fairfield came back in the fifth. Connecticut's first two runners in the frame reached on an error and walk before Quinn worked a 3-2 count, then lined a fastball to right-center field to put his team ahead for good.
Starter Nick Nardone and Eddie Magi limited Auburn to six hits. Nardone, who went 1-1 with a 0.00 ERA in the regional tournament and collected a save, was brilliant. He struck out 10 without surrendering a walk.
Wilson and Ikaika Nahaku led the way for Auburn, each going 2-for-3.
Isaiah Hatch took the loss in relief.
Auburn starter Casey Manning allowed a run and four hits in three innings of work.
Faifield, the New England Regional champion, survived three errors.
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