The Little League Junior Division team (13-14 year old) from Lafayette entered Thursday's pool play of the Junior League World Series in Taylor, Michigan, with two wins and one loss. Lafayette was paired with the Western Division team from Rio Rico, Arizona, needing a win to secure a spot in the U.S. Championship Game. But, unfortunately, Arizona walked away the winner, 7-5 over Lafayette.

Arizona scored the game's first run to go up 1-0 in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Lafayette answered by scoring a run of their own in the top of the 3rd inning, tying the game at 1.

But the bottom of the 3rd inning proved was huge for Arizona. They not only took the lead back, but they added three runs to give them a 4-1 lead. Lafayette responded, however, responded by scoring two runs in the top of the 4th inning on Kane Castille's RBI double, cutting Arizona's lead to 4-3.

In the bottom of the 4th inning, Arizona got two base runners on via a single and a base on balls. A double scored both runners and Arizona extended their lead to 6-3. Arizona added another run in the bottom of the fifth inning to extend its lead to 7-3.

In the top of the sixth inning, Lafayette had the bases loaded with one out.  One runner was walked home and Lafayette closed the deficit to 7-4.  Then, a fielder's choice scored a second run and Lafayette still had hope, trailing Arizona 7-5. But Lafayette could muster no more runs.

Arizona moves to Friday night's United States Championship game against the team from Tennessee, which beat Lafayette on Tuesday night by the score of 13-12. Lafayette will play a Crossover Consolation game Friday at noon (Central Time) against Puerto Rico. James P. Bitterman will call on the action on Sportsradio ESPN 1420 AM and espn1420.com.

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