By Mike London
mike.london@salisburypost.com

GREENVILLE, N.C. — Sidelined by wet weather on Wednesday and Thursday, Rowan Little League’s 12U softball team returned to the field on Friday and won in the Little League World Series.

Rowan beat Mexico 3-0 in an afternoon elimination game televised by ESPN2 to stay alive in what began as a 12-team event. Six teams — Mexico, Canada, Philippines, Idaho, Arizona and Italy — were eliminated by Friday evening.

“It was just good to see softball being played again after Debby,” Rowan manager Brett Mulkey said. “It was never a serious downpour here, but it rained steady for the better part of three days. The field where we started the World Series (Stallings Stadium at Elm Street Park) is in pretty bad shape right now, but we were able to play today at East Carolina University, where the field drains a lot better.”

Rowan won against Mexico behind shutout pitching by Bristol Smith and good defense.

“Probably the best game Bristol has pitched all summer,” Mulkey said. “She had three pitches working.”

Tenley Shell had a double in the first inning and was knocked in by LeNiyah Ratcliffe.

Mary Kate Okula socked a triple to left-center and was driven in by Jaycee Small.

“Mexico’s pitcher had a really good slow changeup,” Mulkey said. “We never did get comfortable in the box against her.”

Rowan (2-1) will have a tough game in the quarterfinals on Saturday. Rowan will play Ohio. Rowan lost 2-0 to Ohio in its first game in the tournament.

Rowan will play the second game of the day on Saturday at 5 p.m. It’s scheduled to be shown on ESPN2.

Saturday’s first game is a Pennsylvania-Rhode Island matchup at 2 p.m.

Louisiana, which beat Ohio on Friday night, and Pitt County have advanced to Sunday’s semifinals.