INDIANAPOLIS — Small town, get set to meet the big city. The brightest lights around will be shining on Mount Vernon tonight as it is introduced to the world, and all of it is thanks to a team of 11- and 12-year-olds.
The Mount Vernon Little League All-Stars will make an appearance on ESPN after defeating the Kentucky state champions — Bowling Green East — on Friday night in a Great Lakes Region semifinal at Stokely Field in Indianapolis.
Nick Hoar pitched six strong innings, allowing three hits and striking out 13, to lead Mount Vernon to a 2-0 victory. The win secures a spot in the region final tonight against Indiana champion Jeffersonville/GRC, which defeated Chicago's Jackie Robinson West, 11-6, on Friday.
“This was a little too tense for me. I would have liked to have scored a few more runs,” said Mount Vernon manager Tom Glibert. “Kentucky was a quality opponent, but we were on our game. I don’t think they hit a ball out of the infield all night.”
Hoar did the damage on the mound and at the plate. He helped account for both of Mount Vernon’s runs after smashing a solo home run in the second inning, and hitting a single in the fourth. Logan Rhea, pinch running for Jayben Martin, was running aggressively on the hit and drew a throw to third base. The throw was off target, allowing Rhea to scamper home with the second run.
“I really thought one run might be enough because we were getting great pitching from Nick,” said Rhea. “That extra run helped us out. I was so surprised I got all the way around.”
On the mound, Hoar dominated the same Kentucky batters that had scored 34 runs in their last two games, including 16 against Indiana on Thursday. He didn’t walk a batter and 51 of his 67 pitches were for strikes.
“I had a good night,” Hoar said. “My two brothers came and they definitely helped me out. They kept telling me to just throw strikes and get through this. … The last two games they had scored a lot of runs so I thought I was going to have really take it at them. But after a few innings, I thought I could shut them out.”
Mount Vernon’s defense also played a large role. Alex Glibert turned a double play in the second inning and Josh Edwards made two bang-bang plays at third.
“This was really great,” said Alex Glibert. “We played really well. We made some big plays. … I don’t really remember a lot (about the double play).
“We got good pitching and that made us more comfortable. I think it made us stronger.”
As manager Glibert knew, it proved difficult to hold an offensive powerhouse like Bowling Green down. His team, however, was up to the challenge.
“We had seen them play a couple of times and knew they could come back,” said manager Glibert. “The kids can hit. We knew they didn’t have some of the strongest pitching we’ve seen, but as we saw, it wasn’t weak.
“The toughest thing was for us to stay focused. It was a long day again. We played in the last game of the day. We had to try and figure out what we could do with them for that many hours. We wanted that balance where they are not getting worn out by being out in the sun a lot, but also not being lethargic. We were pretty focused. It was 180 degrees from the last game that we lost. I was real pleased.”
Glibert will have to say little to get his team prepared for the finale.
“I don’t think it will be a problem to get them focused for this one,” said Glibert. “If anything, it maybe a little tough to not have any nerves before the game starts. This is all new territory for us. This will put Mount Vernon on the map a little bit. It is an unbelievable experience. We are looking forward to it.”
The players also realize what is at stake.
“This is going to be amazing. Words can’t describe it,” said Alex Glibert.
“We are making history for Mount Vernon,” Rhea said. “To make it here and to make it to the final and be on national TV is amazing. … We’ve been working toward this for a long time.”
Tonight’s regional championship is set to begin at 7 p.m. in Indianapolis, and will be televised on ESPN. Fans are encouraged to make the 3 1/2-hour trip and attend the game as admission and parking are free.
