For the fifth time in its history and first time since 2010, the Hamilton West Side Little Leaguers punched their tickets to Williamsport, Pa. and the Little League World Series.
Hamilton's J.J. Vogel opened the day at the Great Lakes Regional with a two-run blast in the first inning and ended with a 13 strikeout no-hitter on the mound, sending Hamilton to the Little League World Series 12-0 over Illinois.
After the first batter of the game reached base, Vogel sent a blast to give Hamilton a 2-0 lead in the first inning. The Illinois pitcher settled in, but Vogel never lost focus. Vogel allowed only four base runners through four innings,but struck out 12 batters.
Hamilton broke through in the top of the fifth inning, scoring 10 runs to activate the 10-Run Rule. With the bases loaded and none out, Maddox Jones and Levi Smith each singled to give Hamilton a 4-0 advantage. A single by Cooper Oden, a two-run single from Smith and five bases loaded walks scored the other eight runs.
