The Sweetwater Valley Little League all-star team slugged six home runs and routed a representative from Bowling Green, Kentucky, 14-2, in the Little League World Series Friday in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
The game was stopped in the fourth inning because of Little League's 10- run mercy rule.
Dante Schmid, who pitched three strong innings, opened the scoring with a three-run homer in the second frame. The team from the South Bay community of Bonita blasted five home runs in the third inning, including a grand slam by Nick Maldonado that pushed the lead to 9-0.
The game was played one day after the opening slate of contests was rained out.
"They're real focused on what they're supposed to do out there and I'm actually shocked on how focused they look right now," John Fleming, the father of outfielder Preston Fleming, told NBC7/39 before the game.
"The only reason I say that is because there is so much stuff going around them, from the fans and the hype and signing autographs," Fleming said. "Just all the things that are going on here at the site, there's already massive crowds here, but I don't think they really care about that. They just care about getting on the baseball field and playing."
The game was watched on television by numerous fans who gathered at the La Finca D'Adobea Mexican restaurant in Bonita.
Sweetwater Valley is 17-0 in its four tournaments, including outscoring its four opponents 50-22 in the West Regional to become the 11th team from San Diego County to qualify for the Little League World Series.
The next game is Sunday against Pearland, Texas, which defeated Oregon, 1-0.
