Tsawwassen’s Nathaniel Factor has helped the White Rock All-Stars get off to a terrific start at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.
The team’s starting centre fielder connected for a three-run homer in Canada’s 7-3 win over Venezuela on Sunday morning. The result came on the heels of a 12-2 opening victory over Italy — setting up a showdown with Japan on Wednesday at noon (PDT). The winner will advance directly to Saturday’s International bracket championship game.
The loser will play again Thursday with the opportunity to also move on. The International and U.S. bracket champions will play in the Little League World Series final next Sunday.
With White Rock leading 4-2, Factor belted a 1-0 curve ball over the centre field fence to blow the game wide open. It was one of eight hits Canada had on the day against the Latin American champions. The other big blast was Reid Hefflick’s three-run homer in the first inning. He was also the game’s winning pitcher.
Factor also went 2-3 in the tournament opening win over Italy.
The White Rock boys are trying to defy the odds for Canadian teams at Williamsport. The best results in recent years have been a pair of third place finishes in the 1990s. Canada hasn’t reached the final since 1965.
White Rock’s road to Williamsport included unbeaten runs at Districts, Provincials and Nationals, two weekends ago in Medicine Hat.
The eight-team International bracket also includes Dominican Republic, Australia, Mexico and South Korea.
Extra bases…
White Rock’s line-up also features the sons of Delta Sports Hall of Fame inductees Carrie Flemmer Marshall and Greg Frers.
Marshall was a member of the national women’s softball team and competed at the 1996 Summer Olympics. Frers was a standout football player who came through the South Delta Sun Devils program and went on to play in the CFL.
Chase Marshall had a pair of home runs and was the winning pitcher against Italy. Greyson Frers had a hit and scored a run in the opener.
