TAYLOR, Mich. — Just like it began, the United States championship game ended on a throw from Chace Numata.

Numata, a right-handed pitcher for Pearl City, threw a strike to start yesterday's game against Laredo, Texas. Six innings later, Numata — playing shortstop — fielded a ground ball and delivered it to first base for the final out of a 4-1 victory, sending Pearl City to its first Junior League (13-14 years old) World Series title game since 1984.

Pearl City plays Makati City of the Philippines today for the world championship. Both teams are 5-0 in the tournament.

"It feels great beating Texas," Numata said.

Numata played for the Pearl City team that last year lost to Texas in the U.S. championship game. Pearl City has made it to the last three World Series, failing each time to advance to the final round.

This year is different.

"Last year, they were the better team," Numata said of Texas. "We just happened to be a little bit better this year."

Compared to the rest of the U.S. field, Pearl City has been a lot better. Pearl City hasn't allowed an earned run since it played New Jersey on Tuesday — a streak of 27 innings.

After failing to score in the first inning with the bases loaded and one out, Texas scored its only run in two games against Pearl City on an error in the second inning. Numata owned the rest of the game, allowing just two hits and striking out seven batters in six innings pitched.

"Strictly guts," Pearl City manager Mitchell Yamato said, his eyes watering up. "He was going on guts. He wasn't as sharp as he was the first time he pitched."

Pearl City took a 1-0 lead in the first when lead-off hitter Kahana Neal walked and scored on a double by Brennan Doane-Alcos.

Neal also led off the third inning with a walk and scored on a two-run double by Sumi Pruett, which also scored Numata. Pruett stole home to make it 4-1.

Neal, who shut out Texas in his last outing on the mound, will pitch today against the Philippines.

"Kahana wants the ball back, and he's gonna get it," Yamato said. "There's none better."

AMERICAN LEGION

PEARL CITY STAYS ALIVE

Derek Grace pitched a four-hit shutout, and Bryant Katakura and Herbert Chung hit home runs to lead Pearl City to a 4-0 victory over Magna, Utah, yesterday in the American Legion Baseball Western Regional at Kearns, Utah.

Hilo (1-1) faces Tucson, Ariz. (1-1) in an elimination game today.

Grace struck out two and walked one for the complete-game victory.

Katakura, who went 2 for 4, homered to lead of the game. Chung, who was 2 for 3, hit his solo shot in a three-run third inning. Shane Koga had an RBI double in the inning and scored on the same play after two Magna errors.