Kennett reaches U.S. title game

The Kennett 13-14 Little League team booked a place in the United States Championship of the Junior League World Series.

KAU scored three runs in the first inning en route to a 5-2 victory over Rutherford County, N.C., at Taylor, Mich., Wednesday.

“It is a great experience for these kids. They’ve worked real hard for the last seven years, and it feels good to see them succeed against the highest level,” said manager Matt Paterson.

The KAU team continues its undefeated march. According to Patterson, it has outscored teams, 162-20, since the regionals.

Scott Hansen struck out four in 5 2/3 innings to record the win.

“We wanted to use our ace Scott Hansen for 65 pitches to be able to bring him back Sunday, if we got there,” said Patterson. “We let the kids have a say and to a man, they said burn Scott, so we used him for 95 pitches. He pitched a heck of a game, keeping them to two runs. Louis Sharp did a great job getting a fourout save.”

Dan Kane hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning and drove in three.

The team now has two days off until facing the West-Southeast winner in the U.S. title game on Saturday evening.

“We’ll keep the players to their same routine. They’ll practice Thursday and Friday. We’ll see some sights around Detroit, and maybe go to Comerica (Park) and see the Tigers.”