CHUCK BALLARO Cape American pitcher Alex Rios delivers during Saturday's District 9 Little League Tournament 9-year-old All-Star semifinal matchup with Punta Gorda at Koza-Saladino Park. Rios allowed one hit in three innings as Cape American won 13-1.

The Cape Coral American 9-year-old (Strong) All-Star team proved the adage that good pitching and defense always will beat good hitting.

Alex Rios was a force on the mound and at the plate, and the offense took advantage of extra opportunities as Cape American pounded Punta Gorda 13-1 Saturday at Koza-Saladino Park in the semifinals of the District 9 Little League Tournament.

The game was stopped in the fourth inning by the mercy rule.

Cape American faces South Fort Myers, which beat Fort Myers American 5-3 Saturday, in the district championship game Monday night at Jason Verdow Park.

“We told the kids to take it in three steps,” said Cape American coach Brian Przespolewski. “The first was pool play, the second was the semis, then the finals Monday. We’ve cleared two hurdles.”

CHUCK BALLARO Cape American shortstop Daniel Valdez catches a pop-up in Saturday’s semifinal victory in the District 9 Little League 9-year-old All-Star Tournament. Cape American beat Punta Gorda 13-1 to advance to the district championship Monday against South Fort Myers.

Punta Gorda, which reached the semifinals by winning a three-way tiebreaker with Buckingham and Hancock, scored 29 runs in three games, but Rios kept them off the basepaths and allowed his defense to do the work.

In the first inning, after Bryce Hayse doubled, Robbie Kirkus grounded to first baseman Kasey Ross, who fired to third baseman Mac Moise to nab Hayse for a double play to end the inning.

“That double play shut them down when they were getting momentum,” Przespolewski said.

Cape American delivered the knockout blow in the bottom of the first inning, scoring six runs off Punta Gorda starter Tyson Johnson. Rios delivered a two-run double to make it 2-0. Moise, Steven Jumalon and Josh Diggs also drove in runs, the latter two with singles.

“The general rule is if you give a team outs, they’ll score,” Punta Gorda coach John Hayse said. “We gave them three outs, and against good teams they’ll capitalize.”

CHUCK BALLARO Cape American's Dylan Gabor makes contact during the District 9 9-year-old All Star semifinal matchup with Punta Gorda on Saturday.

Cape American added seven more in the second, again batting around as Punta Gorda walked four straight batters before Diggs doubled home two and Daniel Valdes lined a two-run single.

Rios allowed one hit and struck out three before Bryce Santarelli mopped up, allowing Punta Gorda’s only run.

Chris Palumbo and Dylan Gabor also drove in runs with walks. Rios, Ross, Gabor and Jumalon scored twice each.

Hayse had two doubles for Punta Gorda and scored the only run in the fourth on a single by Kirkus. Connor Croke pitched a scoreless inning.

“We teach that baseball is about pitching and defense and that good pitching will always beat good hitting,” Przespolewski said.