Port Arthur Nationals keep playoff hopes alive at Little League championship

VANCOUVER – The Port Arthur Nationals are still alive at the Canadian Little League Championship.

The Nats pounded Moose Jaw 10-1 on Tuesday to improve to 2-3, with one game left in round-robin play.

Kohl Johnson singled, scored twice and drove in three more to lead the Thunder Bay team to the win. Johnson is hitting .455 through five games.

Liam Willmore went the distance to pick up the win, striking out five while tossing a six-inning six-hitter.

He also scored a pair of runs to help his cause.

The Nationals, who only got four hits all game, put this one away in a hurry, scoring six times in the first and added four more in the second.

Moose Jaw’s lone run came in the third. They fell to 1-5.

Port Arthur will play British Columbia (4-1) on Wednesday. The top four teams make the semifinal round. Port Arthur and Alberta are tied with two wins and three losses for the fourth and final spot. Host Hastings Community Little League, B.C.’s Whalley Little League and Quebec’s Diamond Baseball Academy Little League have already clinched playoff berths.