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Rex Brown

South Carolina District 1’s C.D. Moore tags out California’s Erik Hempe (6) during the Big League World Series, Wednesday at the J.B. ‘Red’ Owens Complex in Easley. California won the game 3-2 in 12 innings.

EASLEY — In a game that saw victory grasped out of the jaws of victory, and defeat, all night long, U.S. West of California defeated South Carolina District 1 in 12 innings by a final score of 3-2 on Wednesday night in the Big League World Series at the J.B. ‘Red’ Owens Complex in Easley.

District 1 (3-1) broke a 1-1 tie in the top of the 12th inning when Jacob Koenig sent a home run screeching over the fence in left centerfield, before U.S. West loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the frame.

U.S. West's Gary Gerhardt then laid a sacrifice bunt down the foul line on the right side, scoring Adam Bartczak to tie the game at 2-2.

Then with Nick Hanger at the plate, Erik Hempe scored on a wild pitch, giving U.S. West (3-1) the victory, and handing the host team its first loss of the Big League World Series.

Following the loss, District will be off today, and is not guaranteed to be back in action on Friday.

At the end of Wednesday's action, both District 1 and California boasted records of 3-1.

Heading into Thursday with records of 2-1, U.S. Central (Michigan) and U.S. South (South Carolina) will square off at 7:30 p.m.

A three-way tie is possible for the two spots in the U.S. semi-final game at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. For the most current information on the tiebreaker, check bigleagueworldseries.org.

The path to extra innings on Wednesday was a wild one that began as an intense pitchers' duel, as District 1's starter pitched 7.2 innings, giving up a lone run in the third inning when U.S. West's Eric Jimenez plated Victor Lopez on a single into short right field.

Things then got volatile in the top of the seventh with District 1 up to bat trailing 2-1 with a heated discussion regarding a check swing by Jarred Phillips. After several meetings by the umpires, talking with coaches and the ejection of first base coach Bobby Youngblood, Phillips reached second base following an error on the throw to first.

Three batters later, facing a 3-2 count, Carey Rowland belted an RBI single into centerfield to plate Koenig, and force extra innings.

U.S. West left the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th inning, as District 1 pitcher Kilby Lesley struck out Hanger to end the threat.

U.S. West 3, S.C. District 1 (2)

SC1 000 000 100 001 — 2 8 3

USW 001 000 000 002 — 3 10 2

Pitching

IP H R BB K

W — Guerrero 6 4 2 1 5

L — Koenig 0.1 1 0 0 0

Hitting

SC1 — Koenig, 3-4, HR, 2 BB, RBI; C.D. Moore, 2-5

USW — Guerrero, 5-6; Jimenez, 2-5, RBI