Dalton Carriker's game-winning homer.
(Phil Ellsworth for ESPN.com)
Dalton Carriker's homer to right field in the bottom of the eighth inning brought Warner Robins victory against Tokyo 3-2 in Sunday's title game.
The 12-year-old Carriker raised his arms in celebration after hitting a 2-1 pitch from Japan's Junsho Kiuchi over the right-field stands.
"USA! USA!" cried the Georgia-partisan crowd.The jubilant kids from Warner Robins hugged Carriker as he reached the plate. A relieved manager Mickey Lay lost his hat after joining his team in celebration following a tense game marked by excellent pitching.
The Georgia crowd in the stands included Governor Sonny Perdue, who himself was a Warner Robins little league player growing up. Perdue missed a Southern Governors Association meeting over the weekend to be in Pennsylvania for the game.
This is the third straight Little League World Series championships that the United States has won. Columbus won the crown last year, and Ewa Beach, Hawaii, in 2005.
The previous two Georgia teams to advance to South Williamsport also won the title, including Columbus last year and East Marietta in 1983.
After exchanging handshakes with players from Japan, Georgia players took hold of the championship banner, their proud parents snapping pictures from the stands.
Teammates celebrate with Dalton Carriker, center with helmet on, as he crosses the plate. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
(Associated Press)
