Staff report

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — It was a struggle. Rowan Little League didn’t play very well.

But the bottom line was finding a way to win, and the North Carolina state champs accomplished that.

Sunday’s 10-8 victory against the West Virginia state champions moved Rowan’s girls (age 12U) into the Southeast Regional championship game that is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. today.

“That game was more than wild,” said manager Johnny Meadows after Rowan broke an 8-all tie in the seventh. “When you win a game at this level, 10-8, you know you were very fortunate.”

A victory today would return Rowan Little League to the World Series in Portland, Oregon, a feat that should never be taken for granted, but something that has become almost an annual event.

This will be a winner-take-all game today, so even though Rowan is the only unbeaten team in the regional, a loss would end the season. There won’t be a second chance.

Rowan had it hands full with Barboursville, W.Va., which had won its first two games in the regional.

“We probably made nine errors when you add the mental ones to the physical ones,” Meadows said. “Sloppy play, really, by both teams, but I give our girls credit. We hit the ball.”

Kendall Robinson relieved Rowan starter Madelyn VonCanon in the second inning and pitched the rest of the way. Robinson struck out four, walked two and allowed four hits and three earned runs.

It was 3-all after the first inning.

Rowan built an 8-3 lead after three innings.

West Virginia came back with three runs in the fifth and two in the sixth to forge an 8-all tie.

Hits by Allie Burns and VonCanon started the decisive rally for Rowan in the top of the seventh. Robinson and Bentli Meadows got the runs home.

“We’re just glad for the chance to be in the championship game,” Coach Meadows said.

Kenadi Sproul had three of Rowan’s 10 hits. She had a triple and a double and drove in two runs. Brooke Piper had a triple and a double. VonCanon had two hits, including an inside-the-park homer. Meadows knocked in two runs. Burns had two hits and scored twice.

Rowan will be taking on Tennessee today. Tennessee eliminated Virginia and West Virginia in games on Sunday. Rowan beat Tennessee in its first outing in the tournament.

The bracket is filling out for the World Series that starts on Aug. 9. Oregon District 4 is the host team. Czech Republic will represent Europe-Africa, the Philippines will represent Asia-Pacific, and Coamo, Puerto Rico, will represent Latin America. Delaware, Indiana and Utah clubs have won U.S. regionals. The Canadian, Southeast and Southwest champs will round out the 10-team field.

The Southeast Regional champ starts play in Oregon on Aug. 9 with a late game against Cedar City, Utah.  Delaware, Czech Republic and Canada will be in the five-team pool with the Southeast champion and Utah.

Rowan   323   000   2    — 10   10   5

WV        300   032   0 —     8     7      3