SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Moments after Chicago beat Lynnwood, Wash., on Thursday in the Little League World Series, outfielder Pierce Jones looked at his phone — and had to turn it off.
“I didn’t want to deal with all the notifications,” Jones said.
Jones had three homers and four RBIs in Jackie Robinson West’s 12-2 victory in five innings.
Manager Darold Butler said the players on the all-black team hear about the support in and around Chicago, but they haven’t grasped the magnitude.
“I know for a fact they don’t know how big it is, or what exactly is going on at home,” Butler said. “It’s just baseball to them.”
Jones homered leading off in the first inning, and also tripled in the game. Shortstop Ed Howard added a two-run homer in the second inning.
Chicago scored five runs in the third inning. Logan Kruse relieved Ian Michael, and Chicago capitalized on a passed ball and other misplays behind the plate.
LAS VEGAS 12, RAPID CITY 2, 5 INNINGS
Zach Hare hit a leadoff homer in the third inning to help Las Vegas rout Rapid City.
Hare tied it at 2 with his homer to center field and finished 2 for 2 with four runs. Las Vegas added two more runs in the third and Brennan Holligan had a two-run double in a four-run fourth.
Las Vegas starter Austin Kryszczuk had an RBI single in the fifth and Rapid City conceded three more runs, two on wild pitches and the other when a batter was hit by a pitch.
Kryszczuk went 2 2/3 innings. He struck out six and allowed two earned runs on three hits.
PUERTO RICO 16, AUSTRALIA 3, 4 INNINGS
Abimael Torres hit a grand slam in Puerto Rico’s 13-run first inning.
Torres homered after Puerto Rico scored two runs on five straight walks. Oscar Lopez added a three-run homer in the third for Puerto Rico.
Joel D. Santos pitched two solid innings, striking out five and allowing one hit.
SOUTH KOREA 10, CZECH REPUBLIC 3
Jo Ho Park had a three-run homer in South Korea’s five-run fourth inning.
After Park’s homer off Patrik Kadronozka, Jae Yeong followed with a solo shot. South Korea starter Jae Yeong Hwang struck out eight in three innings.