Kellen Takamura of the West Region team celebrates his RBI in the 4th inning against the Mountain Region team during Monday afternoon’s game at Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport. The Mountain Region team won 3-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pennsylvania – Wailuku is in familiar territory.
And if it responds like it did at the West Regional, it could end its season on a perfect note. Wailuku will have to work extra hard to achieve that goal.
Henderson, Nevada, scored a run in the sixth inning and benefited from six Wailuku walks to beat the West champion 3-2 in the winners’ round semifinals of the Little League World Series on Monday at Lamade Stadium.
To reach the national championship on Saturday, Wailuku now needs to win two games instead of one. To reach the world final, the team also needs to win three games instead of two.
But the dream remains alive, and that is the most important fact.
Brextyn Kamaha’o Hong of the West Region team attempts to make the play at third base as Russell McGee of the Mountain Region team slides safely into base during the 4th inning of Monday afternoon’s game at Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport. The Mountain Region team won 3-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
“I think they are a talented and well-coached team. We know that in the past they have been able to really dominate other teams in this tournament,” Said Nevada manager Adam Johnson.
Hawaii manager Daniel Bolduc declined to attend the postgame press conference.
Wailuku found itself in a similar situation at the West Regional, losing its second game to Southern California but then winning the next two games to defeat Southern California for the title.
Before Wailuku can think about a possible rematch against Nevada, which advanced to the winners’ bracket final on Wednesday, it must first defeat Pennsylvania, which has won two games in a row.
Wailuku has a quick turnaround ahead of it, playing Tuesday afternoon against Pennsylvania, which drew the biggest crowds of the series.
Kolten Magno of the West Region team catches a ball hit by Russell McGee of the Mountain Region team in the first inning and is out of the game Monday afternoon at Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport. The Mountain Region team won 3-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
The West champions have top pitcher Evan Tavares at their disposal, who has not allowed a single earned run in 35 2/3 innings this summer.
Gauge Pacheco of the West Region team celebrates his hit in the first inning against the Mountain Region team during Monday afternoon’s game at Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport. The Mountain Region team won 3-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
Kolten Magno of the West Region team catches a ball hit by Gunner Beranek of the Mountain Region team in the 3rd inning of Monday afternoon’s game at Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport. The Mountain Region team won 3-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
Kolten Magno of the West Region catches a ball hit by Caleb Gomez of the Mountain Region and throws it out at first base to end the 3rd inning during Monday afternoon’s game at Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport. The Mountain Region won 3-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
