UNITED STATES – John Shull drove in a pair of runs, and San Antonio (Texas) turned three double plays with the bases load to beat Staten Island (New York) 4-1 Wednesday and advance to the Little League World Series U.S. final.

The squad from the Lone Star State will meet either Georgia or California on Saturday with a berth in Sunday’s 2009 LLWS championship game at stake.

Texas starter Steven Cardone escaped bases-loaded jams in the first, third and fifth innings allowing just one run with the help of a trio of twin-killing groundballs. New York’s Anthony Scotti, playing with an injured hamstring, grounded into a pair of rally-ending double plays.

MEXICO 6 – JAPAN 0

Reymundo Berrones and Raul Rojas combined on a one-hitter as Reynosa (Mexico) beat Chiba City (Japan) Wednesday to advance to the international finals.

The unbeaten Mexican squad will battle Curacao or Taiwan on Saturday with a berth in Sunday’s 2009 LLWS championship game at stake.

Rojas’ drew a favorable reaction from the crowd after connecting for a two-run homer in the opening frame. The bubbly 12-year-old slugger slowed as he approached home, then stomped on the plate which elicited a delightful roar from the Mexican fans.

Reymundo Berrones threw no-hit ball before reaching the 85 pitch limit after 4 1/3 innings. Rojas took over from there, striking out the side after Chiba City put the first two batters on in the sixth.

2009 LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES:

Wednesday, August 26
Reynosa, Mexico 6 vs Chiba City, Japan 0
San Antonio, Texas 4 vs Staten Island, New York 1

Thursday, August 27
Curacao, Caribbean (3-0) vs Taoyuan, Taiwan (2-1)
Warner Robins, Georgia (3-0) vs Chula Vista, California (2-1)

Saturday, August 29
Mexico (4-0) vs Caribbean/Taiwan
Texas (4-0) vs Georgia/California

Sunday, August 30
Consolation Final
World Series Championship

Photo courtesy of Road to Williamsport

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