Brooklawn rallies in Legion World Series opener

Brooklawn's ace pitcher, Cody Brown, was looking forward to starting Friday night's game against Waipahu, Hawaii, in opening round of the Senior American Legion World Series in Shelby, N.C.

"This is a great experience," Brown said of the eight-team tournament. "There's a lot of history here. Older guys who played on the team always come by and talk to us."

Brown now has something to talk about, too.

The lefthander pitched a complete game, and Brooklawn overcame a two-run deficit to beat Waipahu, 3-2, in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Brooklawn is scheduled to play Great Lakes Region champion Midland, Mich., a 14-3 victor over Eden Prairie (Minn.) of the Central Plains, at 5 p.m. Saturday.

Manager Dennis Barth is expected to give the nod to pitcher Mike Shawaryn for Saturday's game.

With the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, Joe Brooks singled to center field, scoring Paul Walters with the winning run.

Brown gave up six hits, struck out three, and walked two. He also tied the score, 2-2, in the bottom of the eighth when he singled up the middle, scoring Brooks from third.

"To come from behind gives us confidence because somewhere along the line we may have to do it again," said Steve Wilgus, who singled in Brooklawn's first run, in the seventh.

Third baseman Brett Tenuto didn't have a productive evening - a walk and two strikeouts - but he said he'll be back Saturday.

"It's a big win," said Tenuto, who entered the game hitting .400. "We have a lot of faith in each other. We're feeling confident now.

"And we did it before 6,000 people.