Boerne, Texas’ Doc Mogford, left, slides into home under the tag of Venezuela pitcher Willian’s Mora scoring on a passed ball during the first inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)
For Texas, the Southwest Regional champions ended their summer with two tough losses on consecutive days at the Little League World Series.
For Venezuela, the Latin America Regional champions head back home as the third-best team in the world after beating Texas, 4-3, in a close game on Saturday morning in the consolation game.
Texas jumped out to a fast 3-0 lead in the third inning, but Venezuela stayed patient and scored twice in the bottom of the second inning and added two more in the bottom of the third inning to take the lead it wouldn’t relinquish.
Venezuela out-hit a strong Texas team, 7-4.
Jesus Diaz led Venezuela with a 2 for 3 performance at the plate while Diego Biarreta hit a double. Texas was led by Jett Matthews’ double. He was the only Texas player with an extra-base hit as Venezuela’s Willian’s Mora and Samuel Carrasquel combined on the mound and didn’t allow Texas to have any player with multiple hits.
Mora threw an outstanding game, throwing 5 1/3 innings before being relieved when hitting the 85-pitch mark and struck out three while scattering four singles and no earned runs with no walks.
Caden Guffey threw 3 2/3 innings before he was relieved for Texas by Cooper Hastings.