Led by a Santa Clarita resident, the USA Baseball 12U National Team captured its third straight U-12 World Cup title on Sunday, beating Chinese Taipei 7-2 in Tainan, Taiwan.
Kai Caranto, of Santa Clarita, hit a three-run home run, his second homer in as many days, in the third inning for the game’s first runs. Then he pitched two scoreless innings to close it out. He allowed just two hits.
The shortstop finished the game 2-for-3. He went 9-for-23 with a team-high 16 RBIs in the nine-game World Baseball Softball Confederation tournament.
On Saturday against Mexico, Caranto broke an 8-8 tie in the bottom of the fourth inning with a three-run, game-winning home run.
He recorded the game’s final two outs on the mound, earning the save in a 12-10 win.
Valencia resident Greg Pierantoni started on the mound against Germany in pool play. He tossed two innings and earned the win.
