SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT — The title round at the Little League World Series is flush with second chances.

Pearland, Texas, hit a pair of homers in the bottom of the eighth inning Thursday night for a 9-7 victory over Bonita, California, and a berth in the U.S. championship game.

After Bonita pulled ahead 7-6 in the top of the second extra inning, starting pitcher Ben Gottfried hit a tying solo shot and Caleb Low ended it with a two-run homer.

Pearland will play undefeated Lewisberry, Pennsylvania — the closest thing to a home team — for the U.S. championship Saturday. The winner will face the International bracket champion on Sunday for the World Series title.

Lewisberry beat Pearland 3-0 on Wednesday night to earn a berth in the title game.

Mexicali Baja California, Mexico, didn’t need any drama to beat Barquisimeto, Venezuela, 11-0 earlier Thursday and advance to the International title game. Mexicali gets a rematch with Tokyo, which won their earlier matchup 3-1.

The night game needed two extra innings to settle a swing-for-the-fences matchup. Zack Mack had a grand slam and an RBI single for Pearland, which hit four homers in all.

The international game ended not with a homer, but with a swing-and-a-miss. Mexicali players ran from their positions to a spot between the mound and the plate, celebrating their berth in the International championship game.

The last one to arrive was Daniel Zaragoza, who had to run all the way from right field — his position for the final out. It was the only time all day that No. 18 wasn’t wasn’t right in the middle of everything.

The left-hander who patterns himself after Fernando Valenzuela gave up only three hits, leading Mexicali to the win. He also had a two-run double that got it started.

Peering over his tan-and-black glove to get signs from the catch and then delivering the ball with a deliberate motion, Zaragoza looked a little bit like the famous Mexican pitcher — also a lefty — who sparked Fernandomania with the Dodgers in 1981. Asked for his favorite player, Zaragoza quickly answered: “Fernando.”

Why? Because of his screwball. Can he throw one, too?

“No,” Zaragoza said. “It’s hard.”

Tokyo’s 3-1 win over Mexicali 3-1 early in the tournament puts a little extra on the line.