SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - Lloyd McClendon’s five home runs in five at-bats at the 1971 Little League World Series stands as one of the most memorable feats in the 60 years of the tournament.

It is such an accomplishment that the Detroit Tigers coach took a brief break from the AL pennant race to be enshrined Saturday into the Little League Hall of Excellence.

“I’m really blown away by this,” said McClendon, who was presented with a plaque by Little League president Stephen Keener before the U.S. title game between Beaverton, Ore., and Columbus, Ga.

Playing for the Anderson Little League team from Gary, Ind., in 1971, the then-12-year-old McClendon hit two home runs in each of his team’s first two games. He hit another homer in the first at-bat of his third game before being intentionally walked in his remaining plate appearances.

The Gary team was also the first all-black team to play at the series.

Back then, McClendon stood an imposing 5-foot-8, playing catcher and pitcher. Now 47, McClendon doesn’t look much taller.

The outfield walls have been pushed back since he last he played at Lamade Stadium — though McClendon said his blasts still would have cleared the wall.

But when he talks to kids today about baseball, McClendon talks about his time on the mound rather than at the plate.

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McClendon started the 1971 title game against Taiwan and pitched into the ninth inning. He finished with 12 strikeouts, but gave up seven runs in the ninth as Taiwan won 12-3.

“It was a very defining moment in my life when I had my coach and my dad say, ’It’s OK, you did the best that you could do and we’re very proud of you,”’ he said. The moment “should be a model for all coaches, all parents and all communities.”

He didn’t stay very long Saturday, though. McClendon had to catch an afternoon flight to Cleveland to rejoin his team for a weekend series against the Indians.

Southern hospitality
About 40 minutes before the Beaverton-Columbus game, mothers of Georgia players got out of their seats and made a beeline for the Oregon contingent.

They carried gifts in their hands: a basket of peaches, jelly and other goodies from the Peach State.

“I think it was a surprise,” said Donna Stallings, mother of Columbus third baseman Patrick Stallings. “Southern hospitality.”

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Beaverton parents responded by giving pins bearing their league name, the Murrayhill Little League.

Parents on both sides said they were excited for their kids.

“It’s everybody’s goal. To get here takes a lot,” said Steve Fry, father of Beaverton starter Jace Fry. “It took me a day to understand that we were still here, still winning.”