Upper Providence falls to Lafayette (La.), 5-3, in the Little League World Series

Blasting a triple over the head of Louisiana right fielder Eli Clark, Upper Providence shortstop Jalen Bowman screamed “Let’s go!” as he headed to third base in the top of the fourth inning, his team down by four runs.

The team’s first hit of the day and a possible momentum changer.

Although Upper Providence Little League lost, 5-3, and were eliminated by Lafayette (La.), UP manager Ben Ludwig could not be prouder of his group, which he believed fought the whole way through and deserved to make it to Williamsport.

“It’s every Little Leaguer’s dream and it’s every coach’s dream,” he said. “It still hasn’t set in yet; these kids took me, my coaches, our families, and the whole community on a heck of a ride.

“They accomplished the goal they set years ago and they did it through hard work, they earned it, they belonged here.”

Upper Providence was the first team to represent Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic Region at the Little League World Series in Williamsport since Red Land in 2015.

Following Bowman’s triple, pitcher Sam Buckley homered to center field, which allowed Pennsylvania to cut the deficit in half.

Teammates cheered and hugged Buckley at home plate as they tried to grab the momentum for a chance to take the lead.

Buckley, who didn’t pitch at all in Friday’s game against Oregon, threw 80 pitches.

Louisiana talked it over shortly after Buckley’s home run, and lifted starting pitcher Isaac Boudreaux, who retired the first nine batters he faced, in favor of Landyn Craft.

After Upper Providence retired Louisiana in order in the bottom of the fourth, the team from Lafayette went to work in the bottom of the fifth.

With two outs, Cooper Hawkins hit a double to center field, which scored teammate Nick Brown, who had singled. Pennsylvania realized it was running out of time to take the lead.

Bowman, who Ludwig referred to as the leader of the group, hit a double to left field and stole third in the top of the sixth.

Teammate Tommy Sergio followed Bowman’s lead with a pop fly single and Upper Providence crossed home plate for the last time in the 5-3 loss.

Despite the defeat, Ludwig says the team played unselfishly the whole time and this experience will greatly benefit them as a player and a person.

“It’s going to hurt for a little while,” said Ludwig, addressing his team on the field after the final out. “Honestly guys I’m smiling. Do you know why I’m smiling? Because of all the heart, all the effort, and all the hard work you guys put in. You guys are awesome, eyes up, you belong here, that was a heck of a baseball game -- you took us on a heck of a ride.”