Bristol, CT – Against Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, Berlin pitcher Kannon Cropper got the start.  He did not last long, throwing only 17 pitches, giving up four earned runs, and he did not retire a batter.  Fast forward to Thursday night at the 2018 Little League Mid-Atlantic Regional.  With the season on the line in an elimination game against Clinton County, PA, Cropper validated manager Cameron McDonough’s decision to go back to the right hander.  Cropper racked up seven strike outs in pitching a complete game shutout of a 6-0 win.

The win forces a rematch against Middletown, NJ, the only team to defeat Berlin in 13 games of this postseason run.

“Jersey got us the first time,” McDonough said.  “I expect them to play as well as they did the other day and I expect us to play well.”

The winner on Friday night will advance to the Region Title game against the champions of New York, Staten Island.  Three of the last 14 Region Champs have been from Maryland.  Two of those were from Delmarva (2004 South Caroline and 2007 West Salisbury).