WILSON, N.C. — The Taylorsville 13-year-olds won the right to play for the Babe Ruth World Series championship Saturday afternoon.
"Taylorsville 13-year-olds won the Little League World Series in 1993, and we're hoping to repeat history," said head coach Les Matsumura. He and assistant coaches Jim Fivas and Glen Debenedictis led the Utah team to a 3-1 win over Meridian, Miss.
Taylorsville will meet Vancouver, Wash., in the finals.
Meridian scored first Friday, but Taylorsville scored in each of the last three innings to pull ahead and secure the victory.
Ryan Jenkins was walked in the top of the fifth inning and then stole second. He advanced to third on a bunt by Aaron Pratt and then stole home when the pitcher made an error for Taylorsville's first run.
Matt Fulmer scored what proved to be the winning run the following inning before Pratt capped all scoring by crossing in the seventh.