Van Nuys Advances in World Series, 18-2

Jesus Perez banged out a single, a double and a home run and drove in four runs to power Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks to an 18-2 win over Olathe, Kan., on Wednesday night in the Babe Ruth World Series in Houma, La.

Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks, which has won two of its three games in the tournament, is one of four teams still alive in the double-elimination tournament.

Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks will play Youngstown, Ohio, at 5:30 p.m. today.

Perez hit an opposite-field three-run homer to right in the third inning to give Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks (16-3) a 13-0 lead.

Julio Marcial added three hits and two runs batted in for Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks, which had 15 hits.