July 26, 2006 – The Virgin Islands defeated the Dominican Republic 2-1 Wednesday in the Caribbean Regional Tournament of Little League Baseball World Seriesin Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. The Virgin Islands now advance to the semifinal round of the tournament.
The Virgin Islands defeated Puerto Rico 2-0 on Saturday and the Bahamas 6-1 on Tuesday to emerge on top of their pool. The Virgin Islands next play St. Maarten in their final round-robin game. Regardless of the outcome of that game, the Virgin Islands have clinched their place in the semifinal round.
The Virgin Islands have used dominant starting pitching to squelch the opposing offences. Deshorn Lake held the Puerto Ricans scoreless in the first game. Jamal Fleming gave up one meaningless late inning unearned run against the Bahamas. J'moi Smith started off a little bit rocky but quickly regained his composure to hold the Dominicans at bay.
The Dominican Republic drew first blood in the bottom of the first inning. Smith, the V.I. starting pitcher, walked the first two batters he faced in the inning. Smith then retired the next two hitters but allowed a two-out single that plated a run.
Neither team would score for the next four innings.
The V.I. offense came alive when William Lawrence III led off the top of the sixth inning with a single to center field. V.I. manager Neville ‘Champie' Amey then had Desi Henry pinch hit for Kaheel Correa and then used Correa to pinch run for Lawrence. Henry put down a sacrifice bunt that the pitcher misplayed, allowing Correa to advance to third.
The next batter popped out to shallow left field, which was not deep enough for Correa to attempt to score. Agyai Gregory then walked and Troy Richards stepped up to the plate and hit a ground rule two-RBI double that bounced over the center field fence to score Correa and Henry.
Smith then retired the Dominicans in order in the bottom of the inning to end the game. Smith earned the victory, allowing only three hits.
The Virgin Islands clinched first place in its pool and thus will play the winner of Thursday's Aruba/Bonaire game on Friday in the semifinals. The winner of this tournament advances to Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. The World Series runs from Aug. 18–27 and is scheduled to air on the ABC family of networks — ABC, ESPN and ESPN2.
R- H-E
Virgin Islands 2- 7-1
Dominican Rep 1- 3-1
Winning Pitcher: J'moi Smith
