Summerlin South rolls to win in Little League World Series opener

Not a bad opening act.

Summerlin South erupted for 11 runs in the sixth inning and rolled to a 16-1 victory over Clarendon Hills, Illinois, on Wednesday in its first game of the Little League World Series at Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

The Nevada team, representing the Mountain region, next plays Northwest Region champion Bonney Lake/Sumner of Washington at noon Friday.

Summerlin South struck early when Brooks Fechser singled and came around to score on a wild pitch in the first inning.

Illinois, representing the Great Lakes region, threatened in the bottom of the inning, loading the bases with one out. But starting pitcher Garrett Gallegos struck out the next two batters to get Nevada out of the jam. He did not face a serious threat the rest of the way, allowing four hits while striking out six in five innings.

“He went out there and did what we expected him to do,” Summerlin South coach TJ Fechser said. “He competed. He threw 25 pitches in the first inning, and that’s not good. But he got some strikeouts and came back later by letting the defense do its thing.”

Summerlin South scored four runs in the second and chased Illinois starter Luke Schaller with five hits and RBI singles by Dustin Greusel and Ethan Robertson. Illinois used five pitchers in the game.

“I was very happy we scratched them first,” Fechser said. “It’s important to execute and get settled in.”

Summerlin South broke the game open in the sixth. Luke D’Ambrosio doubled to start the hit parade. D’Ambrosio, Mason Schutte and Banks Mossler had RBI doubles in the inning, and Summerlin South sent 15 batters to the plate while collecting nine hits. The team finished with 18 hits.

“The bottom four of our lineup went 8-for-10,” Fechser said. “I don’t think of them as the bottom of the lineup, but I’m very proud of them. The guys took care of business.”

Mossler and D’Ambrosio each went 3-for-3 with a double and an RBI to lead Summerlin South’s offense. Robertson went 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs.

Fechser said his team’s focus will turn to Bonney Lake/Sumner. The Washington team had a chance to scout Summerlin South because it had a first-round bye, a privilege Fechser’s squad will not get.

“Having familiarity with your opponent always matters,” Fechser said. “But they don’t know who we’re going to pitch, and we’ll be ready for them. In a way, it’s an advantage that we’ve played a game and they haven’t.”

The 20-team, modified double-elimination tournament continues through Aug. 24 with the international championship game.

Summerlin South improved to 11-0 in the postseason.

Contact Jeff Wollard at jwollard@reviewjournal.com.