Connecticut beats Aruba for third place at LLBWS

SJ Taxiltaridis knocked in two runs with a crucial double and scored twice as Connecticut defeated Aruba 4-2 Sunday in the consolation game of the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa.

Logan Gryga laced a two-out single in the third to start Fairfield Little League's rally. Luca Pellegrini followed with a single before Taxiltaridis doubled to left, scoring Gryga and Pellegrini. Taxiltaridis then raced home on a wild pitch to give the Metro Region a 3-0 lead.

Santa Cruz, Aruba cut it to 3-2 in the bottom of the third on a Cayden Fraser RBI triple and a Josiah Koolman groundout. Connecticut added an insurance run in the sixth when Taxiltaridis scored on a Jimmy Taxiltaridis groundout.

Three pitchers combined to strike out seven for Connecticut. Reliever Brian Palazzolo picked up the win while Tommy D'Amura closed it out with 3 1/3 innings of hitless relief. Caribbean starter Anthony Santos allowed five hits and three runs over 5 1/3 innings while striking out six.

Nevada takes on Taiwan in the championship game this afternoon.