Georgia, Arizona teams reach U.S. semifinal round

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Dalton Carriker had a three-run homer and Payton Purvis had a two-run single as Warner Robins, Ga., beat Walpole, Mass., 8-1 on Wednesday at the Little League World Series.

Georgia (2-1) clinched a berth in the U.S. semifinals and learned later Wednesday that its opponent would be Chandler, Ariz., which defeated Coon Rapids, Minn., 9-2.

The other U.S. semifinal will feature unbeaten Lubbock, Texas, against Lake Oswego, Ore.

In the international bracket, Mexico lost both ends of a day-night doubleheader, 4-2 to Taiwan and 11-1 to Venezuela. Also, Curacao defeated Canada, 6-2.

Japan will face Taiwan in one international semifinal today, with Venezuela meeting Curacao in the other matchup.

Purvis said his Georgia team’s accomplishments haven’t sunk in yet.

“It will really settle in when the whole tourney is over and you realize you are one of the four best teams in the country,” the 12-year-old outfielder said.

Carriker was the star with his three-run homer in the second inning, which landed far beyond the 225-foot sign down the right-field line at Volunteer Stadium, bouncing in front of a driveway.

Carriker also struck out seven in four-plus innings, finishing a game that had been suspended in the top of the second inning Tuesday night because of rain.

The youngster said he spent a restless Tuesday night in his dormitory room after manager Mickey Lay told him before their 11:30 p.m. bedtime that he would take over in relief when the game resumed.