EASLEY—To say Monday night’s game between Louisiana and California was a preview of Tuesday night’s United States Pool Championship game would be a stretch.

Certainly, the same two teams will face each other on Field One of the J.B “Red” Owens Recreation Center, but there will be more on the line tonight.

The winner of Monday night’s game earned the honor of being called the first place team in the U.S. Pool. The winner of Tuesday night’s game will have the honor of playing the winner between the Dominican Republic and Mexico Wednesday night for the 2009 Big League World Series title, live on ESPN-2.

Louisiana earned a 10-4 victory over California in what we’ll call “the warm-up game.”

Jason Tuggle, who pitched four innings in relief for Louisiana, was credited with the win.

Louisiana got on the scoreboard in the first inning. Ryan Gebhardt was hit by a pitch. He moved to third base on Mark Thrilkeld’s double, then scored when Landon Williams reached base on an error.

In the second inning, Louisiana added two more runs. Colby Jones was walked. Andrew Shamsabady came in to pinch-run for Jones. Stephen Gandy hit a single. Andy Roberts then bunted for a single, loading the bases. Chase Hesson then knocked in two runners with his single.

Louisiana added another run in the bottom of the third when Landon Williams hit a solo home run.

California got on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth.

Dustin Kahle was hit by a pitch, then reached second on a ground ball. Nick Schmidt earned a base-on-balls, and Kevin Neely came in to pinch run for him. Tim Ginther then hit a double, driving in Kahle and Neely to close the gap to Louisiana 4, California 2.

But Louisiana more than answered in the bottom of the fourth

Ryan Gebhardt opened the inning with a single, then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Gehardt reached third on a passed ball, and came home on Mark Thrilkeld’s single. Thrilkeld was caught trying to steal second base.

Corey Jones hit a solo home run to give Louisiana a 6-2 lead.

Stephen Gandy reached first on a walk, then advanced to second on Matt Calhoun’s single. Gandy advanced to third on a wild pitch, then scored on another wild pitch, making the score Louisiana 7-2 after four innings.

In the bottom of the fifth, Louisiana scored three more runs.

Chase Patterson bunted for a single. Colby Johnson was walked, then Ryan Gebhardt hit a 3-run homer, giving Louisiana a 10-2 lead.

In the bottom of the sixth, Dustin Kahle and Matt Toczynski each hit solo home runs for California to draw the final score to Louisiana 10, California 4.

The same two teams will play again – with more at stake – 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. The International Pool Championship Game will begin at 4 p.m.