East Maui (Hawaii) Little League has claimed its spot in the Little League Baseball® World Series United States Championship after defeating Loudoun South (Va.) Little League, 12-9.
Hawaii struck early in the first inning, scoring five runs and holding Virginia to only two. The West Region Champions continued to tally runs, scoring one in the second and two in the third. Virginia answered, scoring six and tying the game at 8-8 before Hawaii pulled away for good, scoring one in the fourth and three in the fifth. Virginia scored one in the sixth, but Hawaii held onto the lead to secure the victory.
The West team threw three different pitchers throughout the game. Kaedyn Miyake-Matsubayashi started on the mound, before throwing Nicholas Nashiwa and then putting in Bransyn Hong to close the game. The pitchers combined to strike out six, walk five, and let up eight hits.
The Southeast Region winners relied on five different pitchers. Justin Lee started, followed by Liam Thyen, Chase Obstgarten, Brady Yates, and Kian Henson. They combined to strike out six, walk five, and allow 13 hits.
The Southeast will face the Southwest from River Ridge, Louisiana, on August 22 at 7 p.m. in Lamade Stadium. The West team advances to the United States Championship on Saturday, August 24 at 3:30 p.m. in Lamade Stadium. East Maui Little League awaits the winner of the game between Southeast and Southwest.
