Aberdeen, Md. — "We're going to the ship," was the chant from the O'ahu All-Stars dugout last night shortly after they defeated Lexington, Ky., 1-0, to win the United States Championship of the Cal Ripken World Series.

O'ahu's "ship" is today's title game against Mexico, the International division winner, in the tournament for ages 12 and younger.

Kalani Lagoc-Crawford's home run with one out in the top of the seventh (and first extra) inning proved to be the difference at Cal Sr.'s Yard at the Ripken Baseball Academy.

"I felt good going into the box because the pitcher is very slow and easy to hit," said Lagoc-Crawford, who hit his homer to left-center field, estimated at 250 feet.

The blast came off Lexington left-handed reliever Devin Jackson, whose fastball was noticeably slower than that of starter Trevor Gott, who was timed at 81 miles per hour during his four innings on the mound.

The pitch, however, Lagoc-Crawford hit was a curve ball, a hanging curve ball, according to Lagoc-Crawford.

O'ahu's Kewby Meyer and Jordan DePonte combined on a three-hitter. Meyer struck out seven and DePonte one.

Prior to the home run, O'ahu didn't have many scoring chances, but the best came in the top of the first inning when Meyer bounced a ground-rule double over the left-field wall with two outs.

Meyer moved to third on a wild pitch, but Lexington's Gott struck out Ryan Cortez to end the inning.

While O'ahu's scoring chances were few, Lexington had their own few chances.

Uncharacteristic defensive miscues by O'ahu put Lexington in position to score, but good pitching and great defense took Lexington out.

In the bottom of the first, a walk, an error on a double play ball and a stolen base put runners at second and third for Lexington with one out.

O'ahu starting and winning pitcher, Meyer, buckled down and struck out the next two hitters.

It was Meyer's play as a first baseman in the fourth that was spectacular.

Lexington's Scout McCamy hit a one-out single off DePonte.

Joe Duncan then put down a bunt, fielded by third baseman Cortez. Cortez threw to second baseman Gavin Okada for the out because Meyer was charging the bunt.

McCamy advanced to second on the bunt and continued to third where no one was covering. Meyer, however, alertly continued to rotate around and took a throw from Okada at third and tagged McCamy out to complete the 5-4-3 double play.

Oahu manager Gerald Oda called the play "unbelievable."

Oda also said he was "just proud of our kids for picking up the defense and hats off to Kentucky, what a very, very class act/team. Great, great kids, our heart goes out to them."

Oda acknowledged Mexico, the two-time defending Cal Ripken champion, will be tough.

"Mexico is good, that's all," Oda said. "They're so stacked, so whether we win or lose by one or lose by 10, it's just the chance that we get to play for a championship and it's going to be fun."

Timmy Arakawa, Okada, Lagoc-Crawford and Meyer were selected to the All-USA Tournament Team. Kash Kalohelani, Cortez and Ryan Yamane were named to the All-USA Defensive Team and Meyer was named the Most Outstanding Player.

O'AHU ALL-STARS 000 000 1—1 7 2

KENTUCKY 000 000 0—0 3 0

Kewby Meyer, Jordan DePonte (6) and Kash Kalohelani. Trevor Gott, Steven Hoagland (4), Will Sweet (5), Devin Jackson (6) and Austin Crutcher-Broome. W—Meyer. L—Jackson. S—DePonte.

Leading hitters—O'ahu: Meyer 2-3, double; Kalani Lagoc-Crawford 2-3, homer; Kalohelani 2-3. Kent: Tyler Wells 2-3.