It looked like a long shot. Then the Citrus Park All-Stars broke out the long ball on Monday night.

Citrus Park, after its 8-2 seven-inning victory against Shelton, Conn., at the Little League World Series, will advance to Thursday night’s U.S. semifinals – three victories away from a world championship.

Trailing 2-1, Citrus Park got a one-out game-tying home run from Kevin Merrell in the top of the sixth inning.

In the seventh, Citrus Park tallied six runs, including three homers – the go-ahead blast by Danny Lastra, a two-run shot from Brett Wilkosz and another homer from Merrell.

Citrus Park will have two off-days before playing Thursday night (8 p.m., ESPN). The opponent will be unbeaten Lake Charles, La., if it defeats Hagerstown, Md., in tonight’s final pool-play game.