TAYLOR, Mich. (WGNS) - Rutherford County baseball fans are watching the Junior League World Series closely as a local group of players represent Murfreesboro on the international stage at Heritage Park in Taylor, Michigan.

Representing Tennessee as Southeast Region champions, the Murfreesboro squad split its opening two games, bringing its tournament record to 1-1. 

PHOTO: Players (from left to right) Ames Thomas, KJ Taylor, Angel Narvaez and Charlie Newburry after the team's 10-4 victory over Wisconsin Sunday)

Murfreesboro opened tournament play on Sunday (August 9th) with a dominant 10-4 victory over Central Region champion Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. Pitchers KJ Taylor and Eli Goodman controlled the game early, holding Wisconsin scoreless through the first four innings while Tennessee built an 8-0 cushion.

Murfreesboro opened the scoring in the second inning when Charlie Newburry crossed home plate on a wild pitch. First baseman Frankie Hyland squashed a Wisconsin threat in the bottom half by turning a smooth 3-6-3 double play. Murfreesboro blew the game open with four runs in the third inning and three more in the fourth, powered by hits from Jaylen Coronel, Angel Narvaez, and Brennon Thomas, an RBI single from Ames Thomas, and a bases-loaded walk to Asher Jeong. Landon Fettig singled and scored in the fourth before Narvaez crossed the plate on a double steal.

The Tennessee stars capped their scoring in the fifth inning with RBI hits from Narvaez and Ames Thomas, building an 11-hit attack against seven different Wisconsin pitchers. Hyland crushed another Wisconsin rally in the fifth with a line-drive catch and double-off at first base.

Murfreesboro returned to World Series Field on Monday (August 10th) for a 12:00 PM CT matchup against undefeated West Region champion La Mirada, California. Facing a California squad fresh off a first-round bye and entering with a 16-0 postseason record, Murfreesboro fought through a tight contest but dropped a 5-3 decision as California capitalized on key opportunities.

The loss moves the Rutherford County squad into the United States elimination bracket, making every remaining contest a win-or-go-home game. Murfreesboro returns to action on Tuesday (August 11th) at 9:00 AM CT for Game 10 against East Region champion Freehold Township Little League out of Freehold, New Jersey. Live video coverage for the game is available on ESPN+.