San Antonio, Texas is coming back to the Little League World Series.
So is the McAllister Park Little League.
McAllister Park from San Antonio became the first U.S. team to earn a Little League World Series berth Thursday night in Waco, Texas, pounding Lufkin, Texas, 9-0, in the Southwest championship. McAllister Park reached the Series in 2009, advancing to the U.S. final after becoming the first-ever San Antonio team to reach South Williamsport.
San Antonio plays its Series opener a week from Friday when it meets the Mid-Atlantic champion at Lamade Stadium.
Tyler Vitt pitched a complete-game two-hit shutout and Jordan Cardenas crushed a mammoth three-run home run during a four-run second-inning that paved the way for victory. San Antonio scored eight runs in the second and third innings to break open what had been a scoreless game. Cardenas went 2 for 3 with four RBIs and two runs and Vitt struck out 10. The right-hander ended the game with a strikeout and walked none.
The Southwest champions delivered seven of their eight hits during the second and third innings and outscored their last two opponents, 13-0.
San Antonio went 5-0 at regionals and handed Lufkin both its tournament losses. Lufkin was trying to reach the Series despite having only nine players and three bats. It also was competing in Little League Baseball for the first time.
The last four teams from Texas to reach the Series have advanced to the U.S. final, but none has won once there, including Pearland in 2010. San Antonio went 4-0 in 2009 before losing to eventual champion Chula Vista, Calif., in the national championship.
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Tyler Torres, Charlie Henson (3), Cory Lewis (5) and Ethan Jacobs. Tyler Vitt and Jordan Cardenas. LP-Torres. WP-Vitt.
Top Texas West hitters: Cardenas 2-3, HR, 4 RBIs, 2 runs; Jack Scarborough 1-1, 2B, RBI, run.
