Despite Loss, Westport Has Chance to Get to World Series Championship

They may have lost Wednesday, but the Westport Little Leaguers still have a chance to make it all the way in Williamsport.

A game that began as a pitcher's duel ended 6-3 in extra innings, with the West team from Chula Vista, Calif., coming out on top.

Westport's starting pitcher Chad Knight was up against Grant Holman, who had pitched a no-hitter Friday in a 3-0 victory against Gross Pointe, Mich.

Holman's bid for a perfect game Wednesday was snapped in the third inning, when he walked Drew Rogers with two outs.

Knight's start was equally impressive -- he went four and a third innings and struck out nine. His night came to an end in the fourth, when he gave up a homerun to Chula Vista's Nick Mora.

Westport answered in the bottom of the fourth, when -- with two outs -- Matt Brown hit a three-run homerun to catapult Westport into the lead, 3-1.

The New England champions' lead diminished in the top of the sixth, thanks to walks and wild pitches. The game was tied 3-3 at the end of regular play and went into extra innings.

It wasn't until the top of the ninth when the tie was broken -- by Chula Vista's Holman, with a three-run homerun to bring the score to 6-3. The game ended with Rogers hit into a double play at the bottom of the ninth.

Chula Vista will go straight to the U.S. Championship game -- and they may see Westport there. The hometown boys will play at Lamade Stadium Thursday at 8 p.m. against Sammamish, Wash. -- the winner will play Chula Vista Saturday in the U.S. final. Westport defeated Sammamish 9-7 on Sunday.