Columbia team reaches world series

Columbia pitcher Ryan Phillips was swarmed after striking out the final batter. His dominating performance had earned Columbia’s Daniel Boone National Little League team its first trip to the Little League World Series.

Columbia advanced to the World Series in Williamsport, Pa., with Saturday night’s 2-0 shutout over Bloomfield, Iowa. The game was played at Stokely Field in Indianapolis, Ind, and the game was nationally televised on ESPN.

“I’ve always wanted to be on ESPN,” the 12-year-old Phillips said. “It’s a highlight of my life.”

The team dominated the Midwest Regional, outscoring its opponents 49-11 in six games. Iowa, after losing to Columbia 12-0 in round-robin competition on Monday, held Columbia to two runs. It was not enough, however, because Iowa still could not score off Phillips.

In Monday’s game, Phillips struck out nine and gave up no hits. The game ended after five innings due to the10-run mercy rule.

Phillips was even better Saturday night. With his mother LeeAnn cheering him on in the stands, holding a “Go Ryno!” sign, Phillips went the distance (six innings in Little League), striking out 14 and yielding only one hit. The pitcher, whose nickname is the “Big Nasty,” snuffed out Iowa’s only threat in the fourth inning. With runners on first and third and two outs, Phillips struck out Clint Foster swinging, spun around, pumped his fist and bounded back to the dugout.

Phillips started pitching when he was 10, and last year he started games in regional Little League competition. He earned his nickname last year from his coach Ryan Pfeiffer because of his fastball, split-fingered fastball, and long blond hair that shoots out of his hat like one of his pitches.

Iowa pitcher Calvin Matthews was almost as masterful as Phillips. Although Matthews notched all but one of his team’s 15 outs by striking out 14, two mistakes cost him. In the first inning, with runners on first and third with two outs, Matthews dropped a routine pop fly. Will Echeimeier scored.

In the second inning, Jeffrey Ausmus hit Matthews’ high fastball out of the park. His family, clutching signs reading “That’s my bro!” and “Go Jeffy!”, and the rest of the estimated 150 hometown supporters were elated.

The team and its fans, who were sporting the team’s red-and-blue colors on sweatbands, bandannas and T-shirts, will now travel to Williamsport for the World Series. They will arrive there Monday. Eight American teams and eight international teams will compete for the title. The American and international champions will meet Sunday, Aug. 27 at 2:30 p.m. for the crown.

Columbia’s first task is to advance from Pool B, composed of four squads. The competition is round-robin, and the team will open against the winner of the Southwest Regional Friday at 7 p.m. at Lamade Stadium in Williamsport. The team will also play the New England and Northwest Regional winners in Pool B on Saturday at 7 p.m. and Monday, Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. ESPN will broadcast the first two games. ESPN2 will air the third.

If Columbia finishes first or second in Pool B, it would advance to the national semifinals. With three more wins, in the national semifinal and final and series championship, Columbia would win it all.

“Missouri’s going to get it done in Williamsport,” Phillips said.