The San Mateo Shockers took advantage of an error and two hit batsmen in the ninth inning to top Texarkana, 4-2, in Friday's Stars Division of the American Legion World Series at Keeter Stadium in Shelby, N.C.
The California team's victory spoiled a seven-hit, eight-inning effort by Texarkana starter Austin Cross and a two-run home run by catcher Will Smith.
San Mateo won all five games of the Western Regional and averaged 10.4 runs a game during that tournament.
"I don't think it's a secret, but we threw that game away," Texarkana Manager Dane Peavy said. "I think a lot of people have underestimated us considering how we got here, but after seeing all the teams, we know we can play with anybody here."
Texarkana (38-5) had eight hits, including two each by Smith, Nick Myers and Beau Burson. San Mateo (33-5) also managed eight hits, with Angelo Bortolin and Ricardo Barraza having two apiece.
The game was tied at 2-2 when San Mateo's Jordan Brandenburg greeted Texarkana reliever Zach Harrington with a single to start the ninth inning. Nick Knecht put down a sacrifice bunt that went for an error. Barraza was hit by a pitch to load the bases and Tyler Villaroman was hit by a pitch to give San Mateo the lead for good.
Bortolin added to the California lead with a sacrifice fly.
Texarkana, making its first appearance in the Legion World Series since 1990, put the first two runners on in the bottom of the ninth -- Burson singled and Logan Vidrine drew a walk -- but Burson was caught attempting to steal third and San Mateo pitcher Felix Aberouette got Parker Ribble and Matt Goodheart to fly out to end the game.
Texarkana had a chance to take a lead in the eighth inning when Blake Hall was hit by a pitch and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, but the Razorbacks' center fielder was caught in a rundown between third and home after trying to score from second on Myers' single to center.
Cross gave up 2 earned runs, struck out 4, walked 3 and hit a batter. Harrington took the loss, giving up one earned run in his ninth-inning appearance.
"He's been nails for us all year," Peavy said of Cross. "He doesn't throw extremely hard, but he got ahead of hitters. He has some trouble in the middle innings and got his pitch count up, but any time you can get eight full innings out of your starter, you know he's doing his job."
Texarkana will play Cumberland, R.I., in today's Stars Division action at 3:30 p.m. The Razorbacks will throw Tanner Vaught, who had a 2.16 ERA in 81/3 innings during the Mid-South Regional.
Sports on 08/13/2016