SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - Andy Rios hit a grand slam in a nine-run first inning last night as Chula Vista, Calif., routed San Antonio, 12-2, to advance to the Little League World Series title game.
Luke Ramirez had a three-run shot and Bulla Graft connected for the first of his two homers in Chula Vista’s big first inning. The California sluggers pounded their way into today’s final against Taiwan, which beat Reynosa, Mexico, 9-4, to take the international title.
Ramirez pitched one-hit ball in a game finished after 3 1/2 innings because of the 10-run rule. It will be the first appearance for a California team in the final since 2004, when Thousand Oaks lost to Curacao.
Taiwan is in the title game for the first time since 1996, when it beat Cranston, R.I.
