Little League World Series: North Carolina team tosses first perfect game since 2008

The first round of the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., got underway this week and the team from North Carolina accomplished something Friday that had not been done in nine years.

The Southeast Region champions from Greenville, N.C., used three pitchers to combine for a perfect game in a 6-0 win over the Midwest Region champs from Sioux Falls, S.D.

Chase Anderson, Matthew Matthijs and Carson Hardee combined to throw the first perfect game at the Little League World Series since 2008.

Anderson started the game and threw three innings in the opening-round victory. He struck out four batters before he was relieved by Matthijs, who struck out five over 2 2/3 innings. Hardee closed out the six-inning win.

The last perfect game at the LLWS was thrown by Mexico against Italy in 2008. Mexico reached the championship that year, but lost to Hawaii. Friday's game was the first perfect game involving teams from the U.S. at the Little League World Series.

Greenville advances to face the West Region champions from Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., which beat the Northwest champions from Walla Walla, Wash. The U.S. winners bracket continues Sunday with Northeast champion Fairfield, Conn., playing Southwest champion Lufkin, Texas.

Venezuela, Canada, Japan and South Korea were the opening-round winners in the International bracket.