AP Photo Needville, Texas’ Jakolby White (2) slides into home past Fargo catcher Jackson Molden, right, as he steals home on a throw back to the pitcher during the second inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa., Friday.

WILLIAMSPORT — A closer look at the 6-2 Needville, Texas, win over Fargo Friday at Lamade Stadium.

PLAY OF THE GAME — Cade Hammonds’ clutch double: The game was tied through three innings and was still close with Texas up, 4-2 with two outs in the fourth. That was when Hammonds delivered the game’s pivotal moment, driving a two-run double off the left field wall and giving Texas a 6-2 advantage. Those runs were crucial and helped Texas pitchers remain poised when North Dakota threatened in each of the last two innings. Hammonds nearly went yard and continues excelling at the bottom of the lineup, going 2 for 3 through his first two Series games.

TEXAS PLAYER OF THE GAME — Colten Georgi: This is a tough call since North Dakota limited Texas to two hits, but Georgi was in the middle of both Texas run-scoring rallies in the second and fourth innings and he also scored twice. Georgi went 1 for 2, drew a walk and also was part of a strong defense. He has started the Series strong, also earning the save in the opening win against Pennsylvania.

NORTH DAKOTA PLAYER OF THE GAME — Mason Kirchner: The player who earned the win on the mound in the Midwest championship showed off his offensive prowess against Texas. Kirchner went 1 for 1 with a walk and was a key part of the team’s two-run second inning rally which tied the game, 2-2. Kirchner belted a two-out double down the right field line in his first at-bat, moving Blaise Ostrom, who walked, to third. A batter later, Colin Hanson ripped a two-run single and the game was tied.

BIG INNING — Texas fourth: The game was tied 2-2 and Cash Martinez took a no-hitter into the fourth before Texas broke out and took control. The Southwest champions scored four times with Hammonds providing the huge blow. It started when Dalyn Martin was hit by a pitch and gained momentum when Colten Georgi dropped a perfect bunt single just up the third-base line for the first Texas hit. Two runs scored on a passed ball and wild pitch, respectively, to put Texas up, 4-2. Hammonds then capped the rally in a big way, giving Texas two valuable insurance runs.

BEST EFFORT — Easton Benge putting out the fires: Texas still led 6-2 in the bottom of the fifth when North Dakota threatened to do some damage following consecutive lead-off walks. Benge entered and quickly squashed the momentum while pulling Texas within three outs of victory. The hard-throwing right-hander struck out the first two batters he faced on eight pitches before inducing an inning-ending groundout. Not only did he not let a run score, but he did not let any of his inherited runners advance a base. Benge delivered again in the sixth inning, striking out North Dakota’s Nos. 3-4 hitters and clinching the victory. He produced four strikeouts in two innings and stranded four runners.

FLASHING LEATHER — Most plays were routine ones until the bottom of the third when Benge, playing third base, showed off his range and arm while snuffing out a potential rally. With a runner on first and two outs, Benge charged a slow roller on the infield grass. As he scooped it, Benge made a snap throw across his body and beat lead-off hitter Reese Evenson by a step for the third out. Shortstop Dalyn Martin made a key play to end that fifth inning North Dakota fifth. Martin jumped into the night and snagged a missile of a line drive hit by Hudson Yaeger.

WHAT THE ADULTS SAY — “Scrappy is probably the right way to say it,” Texas manager Andy McRae said. “We didn’t the baseball anywhere close to our best tonight, but they battled.”

“It was awesome. I was so proud of them today,” North Dakota manager Chad Hanson said. “They’re smiling; they’re having fun just being themselves. The nerves weren’t there. That was what I was worried about the most. Their body language on the field was pretty good. They did awesome. All 12 contributed some way, shape or form.”

WHAT THE KIDS SAY — “I was just thinking, I’m ready for that moment,” Benge said. “I was just ready to pitch and I was happy that my coach put me in because I was ready for that moment.”

WHAT IT MEANS — Texas advances to the winner’s bracket semifinal and will play California under the Lamade Stadium lights, Monday. That winner will then be one win from reaching the U.S. Final. North Dakota returns to action Sunday when it faces Nevada in an elimination game.