Edmondson throws no-hitter, hits homer for South Carolina

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) — Alex Edmondson threw his second no-hitter in eight days and hit a two-run homer in the first inning to help Taylors, South Carolina, beat Cranston, Rhode Island, 7-1 on Friday in the state’s first ever victory in the Little League World Series.

Edmondson struck out 15 a week after striking out 12 in his no-hitter in the Southeast championship.

Throwing around 80 mph, the right-hander struck out the side four times. He struck out 10 straight between the third and sixth innings in South Carolina’s first LLWS game since 1950.

Edmondson also had an RBI single and was 3 for 4 at the plate.

Terrence Gist hit long home run to the top of the hill beyond left field in the third inning, giving South Carolina a 3-1 lead. Ben Tumblin and Gage Laymon added RBI singles in the fourth and sixth innings, and South Carolina finished with 13 hits.

On Sunday, South Carolina will play the Missouri-Pennsylvania winner.

Rhode Island scored its lone run in the first when David Marchetti walked and came home on two wild pitches and a dropped third strike.