WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — For the first time in the Little League World Series, the team from South Riding, Va., is facing some adversity.
After becoming only the second U.S. team in Little League World Series history to throw consecutive no-hitters, Loudoun South allowed 13 hits Wednesday evening to lose 12-9 to Hawaii in the semifinals.
The West region champions jumped out to a big lead early, leading 5-0 before the Southeast region champs got to bat.
The Hawaiian team led by as much as 6 runs, before the Loudoun South Little League team's offense woke up.
The team from South Riding took advantage of some timely hitting, and some shaky pitching, to score 6 runs in the bottom of the third inning to tie the game at 8-8.
Unfortunately, the one big inning was not enough to overcome Hawaii's ability to score runs in every inning except the sixth.
Trailing 12-8, the Loudoun South Little League team closed the gap to 3 runs, but couldn't get any closer.
The magical run for the first team to make the Little League World Series from Virginia since 1994, isn't over.
The tournament is double elimination until the final weekend.
If Loudoun South can win Thursday night at 7 p.m. against Louisiana, they will face Hawaii again in the U.S. Little League World Series Championship on Saturday.
The winner of Saturday's game will face the International champion in Sunday's final.