EASLEY—After Monday night’s win by Louisiana over California in the final game of pool play, coaches from both teams agreed that the game had meant nothing.

Tuesday night’s United States Pool Championship, which would feature a rematch of the two teams, would be the one that mattered.

And matter it did. California built up a 5-0 lead, then held on for a 5-2 win, earning a spot in Wednesday night’s championship game against the Dominican Republic, the International Pool Champion.

The game is set to begin 8 p.m. and will be televised live on ESPN2.

Tyler Karp pitched 6 and a third innings, picking up his second win for Thousand Oaks, Calif. Dakota Fog came in for the final two outs, picking up his second save of the BLWS.

Josh Absher picked up the loss for Louisiana.

California took the early lead in the bottom of the third. James Brady reached on an error, then came home on Dustin Kahle’s triple, giving California a 1-0 lead. Kahle came home later in the inning on a ground out, making Thousand Oaks’ lead 2-0.

The game had a delay of more than an hour due to lightning near the field.

In the bottom of the sixth, California increased its lead to 5-0. John Travnick was hit by a pitch. Hayden Cronenbold then drew a walk. The bases were loaded after James Brady was hit by a pitch.

Travnick scored on a ground out play.

Danny Leon was then hit by a pitch, loading the bases again. Matt Toyzynski then hit a single that allowed Brady and Cronenbold to score, increasing California’s lead to 5-0.

Louisiana tried to mount a comeback in the top of the seventh. Jason Tuggle singled to open the inning, then reached second base on a passed ball. Ryan Gebhardt reached base on an error.

Mark Threlkeld then hit a double, driving Tuggle home. Landon Williams then reached first base on an error, allowing Gehardt to score.

But Louisiana’s rally ended there, sending Thousand Oaks to the BLWS Championship game.