July 29, 2006 – The Virgin Islands came in second in the championship of the Caribbean Regional Tournament of Little League Baseball in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, on Saturday, after being defeated by Curacao, 14-3.
Both teams were undefeated throughout the tournament; thus something had to give, and this time it was the V.I. team.
Jamal Fleming gave the Virgin Islands an early lead with a first inning two-run homerun, which was also the first homerun hit by the V.I. team in the tournament. This came after Curacao scored one run in the top of the inning.
Pitcher Deshorn Lake started the championship game for the V.I. team, a team known for its pitching strength throughout the tournament.
However, in the top of the third inning, the Curacao offensive began, scoring six runs.
J'moi Smith relieved Lake in the fourth inning and gave up four runs. Curacao capped the scoring with three more runs in the fifth inning.
V.I. coach Frank Thomas said, "We are so very proud of what all these kids did in their outstanding performance in this tournament."
Thomas' sentiments were echoed by Elrod Hendricks West Little League President Lubin Roberts: "All these kids are winners," he said.
The Virgin Islands team is expected to return to the Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas at 10 a.m. Sunday.
Curacao advances to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Penn., as the Caribbean champion. The World Series runs from August 18-27 and is scheduled to air on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2.
R- H-E
Curacao 14-11-0
Virgin Islands 3- 6-2
