Bowling Green East pitcher Carson Myers delivers to the plate during their game against East Daviess County on Thursday, June 30, 2016, in Muhlenberg County. (Austin Anthony / photo@bgdailynews.com)

GREENVILLE – Warren County North 9- and 10-year-old Little League All-Star manager Kris Young told his team after Thursday’s semifinal game against Warren County South that every championship team is battle-tested.

North’s resolve was certainly tested Thursday, with South rallying to tie in the top of the sixth inning before North got a walk-off single from Camden Elkins to prevail, 4-3.

With the win, North advances to the championship game on Friday at 6 p.m.

“Most of this team has been together since they were 4 or 5 years old,” Young said. “They are battle-tested. I never lost confidence in them. I knew no matter who we sent to the plate, we were going to hit it.”

South had chances to strike first, but left runners on the corners with two outs in the second and couldn’t score in the third despite having runners on the corners with no outs.

North also failed to score in the bottom of the third with a runner thrown out at home trying to score, but was able to break through with a pair of runs one inning later.

Wyatt Nesbitt extended the lead to 3-0 on an RBI single in the fifth, but South rallied in the sixth.

South loaded the bases before Andrew Milam delivered a two-run single to make the score 3-2. Drake Young relieved Nesbitt and got a strikeout and a fielder’s choice before Andrew Coffey dropped an RBI single inside the left-field line on a 3-2 pitch to tie the score 3-3.

After an intentional walk loaded the bases, Young got a strikeout to keep the score tied and set up the walk-off rally.

Maddox Tarrence started the inning with a walk and Tanner Goad followed with a single to center. That set the stage for Elkins, who hit an grounder up the middle into center for a game-winning RBI single.

“We battled and got the walk, then Tanner Goad had a big hit,” Young said. “He’s done that the whole tournament. (Elkins) had a 10 pitch at-bat the inning prior. He’s seeing the ball well right now. Like I said earlier, whoever we send to the plate right now we have confidence in.”

Nesbitt went five innings, allowing six hits and three runs – one earned – with seven strikeouts, while Young earned the win.

Despite the loss, Warren County South manager Brent Ballard said he was happy with the way his team battled. 

“We never gave up,” Ballard said. “We knew that we were up against the one seed and that they were a really good team, but we kept battling. I’m awfully proud of my team. We are heartbroken about losing, but we know we gave it our all.”

Warren County North, the defending 9-and 10-year-old state champion, will face Owensboro Southern at 6 p.m. on Friday with a chance to return to the state tournament, which begins in Richmond on July 23.

“Four of these boys were on the state championship team last year,” Young said. “We have a few veterans going into it. We know what it takes. We are excited and ready to play. We wish we could play it tonight.”

WCS 000 003 – 3

WCN 000 211 – 4

11-12s

Bowling Green East 6, Daviess County 2

Carson Myers struck out 11 in five no-hit innings and added two hits and two RBIs at the plate to help move BG East into Friday’s final against Owensboro Southern.

“Carson really pitched well,” BG East manager Rick Kelley said. “He kept them off-balance with his cutter and took us to the sixth inning. We had a cushion there with six runs to be able to give us the ability to move around with some different pitchers to get the win and get to the finals.”

BG East got two in the first on RBI singles by Spencer Newman and Myers, then stretched the lead to 5-0 in the fifth after RBI doubles from Newman and Devin Obee and an RBI single by Myers.

East made it 6-0 in the sixth when Davis Moran scored on a wild pitch. East Daviess County loaded the bases on three walks to start the bottom of the sixth, scoring twice before Jackson Moore closed it out.

Newman had two hits, while Patrick Forbes finished with a hit and a run scored.

BG East will look to win a second straight 11-12 district title when it faces Owensboro Southern at 6 p.m. on Friday.

“They are always a tough team and they do extremely well,” Kelley said. “They’ve got the experience. It will be a tough challenge, but we are looking forward to it. That’s what Little League baseball is all about. We are excited to have our No. 1 guy (Isaiah Head) going against their No. 1 guy. It will be a great battle.”

Owensboro Southern 10, Warren County South 0, four innings

Alex Castlen threw a perfect game for Owensboro to eliminate Warren County South.

Owensboro South scored five in the first and cruised from there, with Warren County unable to solve Castlen.