Carpet Land will play at least one more game.
The American Legion team from Lincoln East secured its spot in the semifinals of the American Legion World Series on Sunday, shutting out Cedar Rapids (Iowa) 9-0.
Carpet Land (52-11) will play Monday at 3 p.m. against Cheyenne (Wyo.). Win that game, and the Rugs will play for a national title.
Chase Nelson gave Carpet Land the opportunity.
With Carpet Land needing a shutout to secure its national semifinal spot, Nelson pitched a gem — seven innings, five hits, no runs, and six strikeouts against no walks. He punctuated the victory with back-to-back strikeouts to end the game.
After being shut out 3-0 by Florence, S.C., in its series opener, Lincoln East has outscored its last two opponents 12-0. Those three runs allowed are the key for Carpet Land being able to advance, thanks to the ALWS tiebreaker system.
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"I said Paul (Shortridge) saved his best for us yesterday and Chase did the same today,” Carpet Land coach Mychal Lanik told reporters after the game. "He had four pitches he could throw whenever he wanted to and threw the ball inside as good as he ever has."
Carpet Land players celebrate their win over Cedar Rapids (Iowa) in Game 11 of the American Legion World Series on Sunday in Shelby, N.C.
Nelson got all the support he needed when the Rugs scored three runs in the first inning while sending nine batters to the plate. After Kai Burkey led off with a four-pitch walk, AJ Evasco ripped a triple into right field to score the game's first run, and Garrett Springer followed with a single to score Evasco. A single and another walk loaded the bases, and a wild pitch gave East an early 3-0 advantage.
Two games after being on the short end of a record-setting 14-strikeout performance against South Carolina, Carpet Land worked 12 walks off three Cedar Rapids pitchers. Evasco and Tanner Peterson each had two hits for the Rugs, with Evasco driving in two runs. Harrison Biester walked three times and collected a hit.
"We've been in positions like this before," Nelson said. "Back in... our state tournament, we lost our first game. We came back and won six straight after that."
Photos: Carpet Land plays Elkhorn South for an American Legion state title
Carpet Land's Garrett Springer enjoys a slice of watermelon during a break in the action against Elkhorn South during the Class A American Legion championship game on Saturday at Den Hartog Field.
Carpet Land's Owen Laessig (6) and Carpet Land's Paul Shortridge wait for their chance to bat against Elkhorn South during the Class A Legion hampionship on Saturday at Den Hartog Field.
Carpet Land's Garrett Springer looks toward the mound after scoring against Elkhorn South during the Class A American Legion championship on Saturday at Den Hartog Field.
Carpet Land starting pitcher Chase Nelson delivers to the plate during the Class A American Legion championship on Saturday at Den Hartog Field.
Elkhorn South's Crew McDonald throws a pitch against Carpet Land during the Class A American Legion championship on Saturday at Den Hartog Field.
Carpet Land players watch from the dugout as their team bats in the first inning during the Class A American Legion championship on Saturday at Den Hartog Field.
Carpet Land players huddle up before taking on Elkhorn South in the Class A American Legion championship on Saturday at Den Hartog Field.
Carpet Land seeks to become the first team to capture the American Legion World Series championship since 1939.
The ball slips from the glove of Carpet Land's Kai Burkey (2) as he attempts to tag out Elkhorn South's Carson Rauner during the Class A American Legion championship on Saturday at Den Hartog Field.
Carpet Land's AJ Evasco recovers to make the catch after the ball slipped from his glove during the Class A American Legion championship on Saturday at Den Hartog Field.
Carpet Land's Ryan Clementi (left) fires a throw to first base in an attempt to make a double play as Elkhorn South's Luke Hoskinson slides in during the Class A American Legion championship on Saturday at Den Hartog Field.
Carpet Land's Ryan Clementi fires off a throw to first base in an attempt to make a double play as Elkhorn South's Luke Hoskinson (7) during the Class A American Legion championship on Saturday at Den Hartog Field.
Elkhorn South's Connor Preble (left) slides back to first base ahead of a pickoff attempt by Carpet Land's AJ Evasco during the Class A American Legion championship on Saturday at Den Hartog Field.
Legion Baseballs wait to be taken out of the box ahead of the Class A American Legion championship on Saturday at Den Hartog Field.
The ball slips from the glove of Carpet Land's Kai Burkey (left) as he attempts to tag Elkhorn South's Carson Rauner during the Class A American Legion championship on Saturday at Den Hartog Field.
