One win away.
After struggling early, Toms River East fought back to complete a 3-1 victory over Montgomery County of Maryland on Monday morning, earning a spot in the winner’s bracket final of the Little League Mid-Atlantic Region Tournament.
“I could not be prouder. These boys were resilient,” head coach Paul Mika told The Post on Monday afternoon. “They played a tough team. We pride ourselves on our perseverance.”
His son, Max Mika, had a part in all three runs for Toms River. In the fourth inning, Mika hit an RBI single to score Toms River’s first run of the game. A second run — the game-winner — came home when the ball got by the catcher.
Two innings later, Cole Garrison hit an infield single on a misplayed pop fly, Jalen McLean sacrificed the runner to second with a successful bunt and Mika drove him in with an RBI-double.
“My son had an amazing game. That was one of his best days,” Paul Mika said. “As a coach and a father, that was an incredibly proud moment. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It is exciting.”
Carson Frazier — nephew of Todd Frazier — threw an 84-pitch, 53-strike complete game, one pitch below the limit of 85.
Tom River East won its second game of the Mid-Athletic Regional on Monday to move two wins from the Little League World Series. Robert SaboHe struck out nine while surrendering five hits, hit four batters while walking two and allowing one earned run. Frazier escaped back-to-back bases-loaded jams in the first two innings with only one run allowed, thanks to some timely plays by Toms River’s defense.
“He was great. It was tough. He pitched a lot. He threw a lot of pitches,” Mika said. “But the defense is what carried us today and got us the victory.”
Toms River will play a team from Pennsylvania in the winner’s bracket final on Thursday (7 p.m., ESPN) for a spot in Saturday’s regional title game (6 p.m., ESPN). If Toms River loses Thursday, it would drop into the losers’ bracket final, needing a win Friday to make the regional championship. Because International teams are not going to Williamsport this season, both finalists from each region are making the trip to Pennsylvania.
“Our goal is to get one win,” Mika said. “That is all we need. One win gets us to Williamsport. We are going to practice over the next few games. And then we will try to win Thursday.”
But first? The kids celebrated with a team trip to the pool.
