LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES : San Ramon Valley Wins, Will Play Taiwan for Title

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. —  Lamade Stadium was too small for the heavy hitters, who performed a version of Home Run Derby during Thursday’s games at the Little League World Series.

Jason Barringer had two homers and four runs batted in as San Ramon Valley, Calif., defeated Staten Island, N.Y., 13-4, to advance to the championship game.

Waiting will be Taiwan, whose first two batters hit consecutive home runs twice during an 11-run first inning that started a 17-1 rout of Nova Scotia. Taiwan will be going for its 15th championship.

The victory by San Ramon Valley, east of Oakland, marked the first time a U.S. Eastern champion has lost to an American team since 1988.

“The kids hit the ball the way we hoped they would,” San Ramon Valley Coach Troy Ward said. “This is probably the best we’ve hit in the last 10 games.”

Kevin Graham had a three-run shot in the first, Barringer drove in three with a homer in the second and added a solo in the fourth, and Joey Loveland had a homer in the fourth.

Graham’s home run came after Daniel Basso was hit by a pitch and Barringer reached on an error. Kolby Rucker singled to center and scored on another error.

Barringer’s first home run scored Justin Staley, who had reached on New York’s third error, and Basso, who had singled. Loveland scored in the third on a passed ball and Nate Hudson scored on Staley’s fielder’s choice.

“I told my players I thought if we could hold them to four, we’d be all right,” Staten Island Coach Goody Halvorsen said. “So, what do we do? We come back and give them three the next inning and we’re down seven.”

In the fourth, after Barringer’s solo shot, Kyle Gross singled and scored on Loveland’s homer to left. Greg Brown-Davis reached on a walk and scored on Graham’s single.

Down 13-0, Staten Island scored four in the sixth on four hits and two errors. Brian Esposito, Mike Wissel, Matt Holt and Mike Carpinello scored for the Eastern champions.