2011 Ameican Legion Baseball World Series Roundup - Day 1

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GAFFNEY, S.C. 12, BEDFORD, N.H. 1

Since winning a decisive fifth game over Irmo in the Upper State playoffs in mid-July, Gaffney, S.C., Post 109 has been unbeatable.

That continued late Friday night and early Saturday morning as Gaffney blasted Bedford, N.H., 12-1 in a game shortened to seven innings by the 10-run mercy rule.

It was Gaffney’s (45-4) 11^th straight victory and includes a 5-0 record in the South Carolina state tournament in Goose Creek, S.C., and 4-0 record in the Southeast regionals in Sumter, S.C.

“To start the World Series like this was big,” said Gaffney winner and starter Kaleb Earls, who picked up his fifth win in state, regional and World Series competition. “We knew a lot of people were here rooting for us to win. That’s a little bit of pressure, but it was because we wanted to do well for them.”