Milton Little League drops first game at Mid-Atlantic Regional against Berlin, Maryland

Milton Little League’s run to the Little League World Series just got a little harder.

In their first taste of action in the Mid-Atlantic Regional tournament Sunday afternoon, the Delaware state champions lost to Maryland's Berlin Little League, 6-0.

But all is not lost for Milton. The team has a shot at redemption Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. when they’ll play the loser of Pennsylvania vs. New York. The losing team Tuesday will be sent home from the double-elimination tournament, which is being held in Bristol, Connecticut near ESPN headquarters.

The winner of the tournament advances to the Little League World Series in Williamsport later this month.

"It's an awesome experience being here in Bristol," manager Paris Mitchell said. "The boys are having a blast. We're going to have a hell of a time no matter what, but we want to win."

Milton took the first big step toward Williamsport when, on July 26, they defeated Newark National, 9-1, to win the 11-and 12-year-old Little League state title and advance to the Mid-Atlantic Regional. 2018 marks Milton’s third consecutive state championship and their third consecutive appearance in the regional tournament. In each of their previous two appearances, the league went 1-2.

Milton is vying to become the third Delaware team ever to reach the Little League World Series and the first since Newark National in 2013.  

Meet Delaware's Little League dynasty, headed to regional championships

An impressive performance by Milton starting pitcher Gage Joseph kept Milton close throughout most of the game. In four innings, Joseph struck out nine while allowing two runs on two hits.

"Gage was his usual self," Mitchell said. "I don't think I've seen another pitcher as reliable as Gage is."

Joseph allowed just one hit to the outfield. The first run scored on an error and the second on a passed ball. 

"That's the first time we've been outplayed defensively," Mitchell said. "That's something we can definitely clean up."

Joseph exited with 69 pitches, which will allow him to pitch in Milton's third game, should they advance. 

In the fifth inning, in Joseph's wake, Berlin opened up the game with two home runs in the fifth inning from 5 foot-10 shortstop Owen Knerr and left fielder Lukas Loring. In the frame, they mounted four runs.

Berlin starting pitcher Stephen Wade held Milton scoreless in four and two-thirds innings. The 5 foot-8 right hander dealt 11 strikeouts through an effective mix of fastballs and breaking pitches.

"I faced him before in travel ball," Joseph said. "I knew he threw hard."

After Wade eclipsed the 85-pitch limit, Adam Gardner pitched one and a third scoreless innings to close the game.

Tyler Jacona, who dealt a five-hitter in Milton's state championship win, will likely take the mound on Tuesday. 

"I feel like we did our best today," Jacona said. "I feel good being on the mound with the defense behind me."

Five players, including Jacona, are carry overs from last season's regional team. But Mitchell felt the team still had some game one jitters, brought on by the ESPN cameras and their familiarity with their opponent. 

By the luck of the draw, their first opponent came from a town just about 30 miles from Milton.

"We knew the boys across from us," said manager Paris Mitchell. "Sometimes that adds a little extra pressure."

"I really hope we get to face them again."

If they do, it would be in the championship game Saturday, with a trip to Williamsport on the line. 

"We're going to have our work cut out for us," Mitchell said. "But I like the position we're in."

Tuesday's matchup against the winner of Pennsylvania vs. New York will be broadcast on ESPN+ starting at 4 p.m.

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Contact Brandon Holveck at bholveck@delawareonline.com.