Sunday, August 24, 2008
A team from Hawaii won the title in 2005, the first of three straight for the U.S.
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) — Call ’em the Comeback Kids.
Tanner Tokunaga doubled home two runs with the bases loaded with two outs to cap a dramatic six-run sixth inning that gave Hawaii a come-from-behind, 7-5 win Saturday over Louisiana to advance to the Little League World Series title game.
Waipahu, Hawaii’s opponent today will be Matamoros, Mexico, which defeated Tokyo, 5-4, earlier Saturday for the international title.
Lake Charles, La., looked to be a lock to represent the United States when the boys from the Bayou State entered the top of the sixth with a 5-1 lead.
But Hawaii didn’t quit.
“They’ve just always had this never give up attitude,” manager Timo Dohahue said.
Tokunaga started the rally off reliever Gunner Leger with a single, and Pikai Winchester followed with a ground-rule double to put runners on second and third. Iolana Akau’s single drove in Hawaii’s first run of the inning to cut it to 5-2.
Khade Paris drove in a run on a groundout and Caleb Duhay added an RBI single for two more runs.
Four batters later, Christian Donahue came up with two outs and the bases loaded and lined a hard grounder that Leger, who had moved to first, misplayed to score Duhay.
That set up Tokunaga’s go-ahead double, which just slipped under shortstop Kennon Fontenot’s glove and made its way to the warning track to score Jedd Andrade and Keelen Obedoza.
Hawaii’s frantic fans cheered wildly as Tokunaga slapped his hands at second.
“He would have needed a lot of skill to get to the ball and he has it,” Tokunaga said about Fontenot.
“But I thought the ball would get through the infield.”
Winning pitcher Trevor Ling retired the side in the bottom of the sixth and set off a wild celebration as Hawaii’s players tossed their gloves in the air near the mound.
A team from Hawaii won the Little League championship in 2005, the first of three consecutive titles for U.S. teams.
Now, Waipahu will try to make it four in a row.
In the early game, a five-run third inning erased an early 2-0 deficit for Mexico.
“Mexico! Mexico,” the team’s red and green-clad fans chanted on a balmy afternoon after Sergio Rodriguez’ homer to dead center gave his team a 3-2 lead.
Tomas Castillo and Ruben Molina opened the five-run third with consecutive doubles, Hector Dragustinovis drove in a run with a fielder’s choice and Hector Guevara capped the scoring with an RBI single.