Endwell, N.Y., heads to Little League World Series title game

Matt Slocum / Associated Press

Endwell, N.Y.’s Michael Mancini, right, and Jude Abbadessa celebrate after winning the United States championship baseball game against Goodlettsville, Tenn., at the Little League World Series on Saturday.

By Travis Johnson, Associated Press

Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016 | 4:15 p.m.

Michael Mancini led Endwell, N.Y., to the Little League World Series championship game Saturday, striking out 11 in a 4-2 victory over Goodlettsville, Tenn., in the U.S. final.

The Mid-Atlantic champs will try to win their first title against international winner South Korea on Sunday. South Korea beat Panama 7-2 earlier Saturday in the international final.

"I don't think I can describe it, maybe the boys can," New York manager Scott Rush said. "Just an unbelievable feeling."

New York players Mancini, Billy Dundon Jack Hopko and Jude Abbadessa appeared in the postgame media room and all used the same word — "Awesome."

Mancini allowed just one hit through 4 2/3 innings and his offense came alive in the fourth. Dundon drove in two runs, and Hopko and James Fellows each had an RBI for New York.

"The curveball is usually my biggest pitch because I know if I'm down in the count I can throw that and get back up and maybe get them out with that pitch," Mancini said. "So you never know what can happen with that pitch."

Tennessee manager Joey Hale praised his players' approach while acknowledging his hitters struggled to find Mancini's elusive curve ball for much of the game.

Jon Luke Simmons broke up Mancini's no-hit bid in the top of the fifth. After Mancini got his 11th strikeout one batter later, Endwell fans along the first-base side gave him a standing ovation as he yielded the mound to Abbadessa.

"He doesn't make mistakes," Hale said. "He's truly polished. Most kids at this age have good breaking balls but they don't always throw them where they should be thrown. If you watch, man, every ball that crossed the plate was down below the knees. That's just the mark of a great pitcher."

Down to his team's last out, Zach McWilliams gave Tennessee life with a two-run homer off Jude Abbadessa in the top of the sixth. McWilliams' blast halved New York's lead, but Abbadessa struck out Carson Rucker to end the game.