Hawaii advances to Little League World Series U.S. final
Hawaii has finally got its offense on track and powered its way to a 9-4 victory over Washington in the semifinals of the United States division of the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.
The Little League team from Waipio is now one win away from earning a trip to the Little League World series championship on Sunday. Hawaii will play Thursday's winner of Louisiana and Florida semifinal on Saturday.
The winner of that game will play either Japan, Mexico or Venezuela in the championship. Japan defeated Curacao on Wednesday to advance to the International championship game on Saturday.
Hawaii's latest victory, its fourth in a row at the Little League World Series, displayed its resurgent offense against a Washignton team that had been an offensive power throughout all-star play since last month. However, Hawaii hit four home runs against Washington including two from Pikai Winchester, who hit two runs in the West Regional title in San Bernardino.
After hitting .197 in the West Regional, where it was no-hit in a victory over Northern California, Hawaii is hitting better than .300 in the Little League World Series. That also speaks to the power of the Western Regional pitching staffs. In two games against Nevada, Hawaii struck out 30 times.
This was the first time since the Northwest and West regional were split in 2001 that a Northwest and West have met in the semis. In 2005, the Northwest and West met in the U.S. finals, which was won by West Oahu, Hawaii, then playing in the Northwest regional. That Hawaii team won the Little League World Series.
The Little League team from Waipio is now one win away from earning a trip to the Little League World series championship on Sunday. Hawaii will play Thursday's winner of Louisiana and Florida semifinal on Saturday.
The winner of that game will play either Japan, Mexico or Venezuela in the championship. Japan defeated Curacao on Wednesday to advance to the International championship game on Saturday.
Hawaii's latest victory, its fourth in a row at the Little League World Series, displayed its resurgent offense against a Washignton team that had been an offensive power throughout all-star play since last month. However, Hawaii hit four home runs against Washington including two from Pikai Winchester, who hit two runs in the West Regional title in San Bernardino.
After hitting .197 in the West Regional, where it was no-hit in a victory over Northern California, Hawaii is hitting better than .300 in the Little League World Series. That also speaks to the power of the Western Regional pitching staffs. In two games against Nevada, Hawaii struck out 30 times.
This was the first time since the Northwest and West regional were split in 2001 that a Northwest and West have met in the semis. In 2005, the Northwest and West met in the U.S. finals, which was won by West Oahu, Hawaii, then playing in the Northwest regional. That Hawaii team won the Little League World Series.
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The definitive blog on the Little League Western Regional Tournament.
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