Texas advances to US final at LLWS

Associated Press

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.

Texas is moving on to the U.S. final of the Little League World Series.

The Southwest sluggers played small ball in the sixth before Mason Van Noort hit a tiebreaking homer to help Pearland, Texas defeat Auburn, Wash., 7-5 on Thursday.

They’ll play for the U.S. championship against either Hawaii or Georgia, who play a rematch today.

Texas overcame an early 4-0 deficit in the early game with seven runs in the final three innings. They also got some nifty defense in the sixth, getting two outs at third after allowing the first two hitters to reach base.

The international final is already set.

Japan will face Taiwan on Saturday.

Hawaii 7, Georgia 4

Hawaii is still alive at the Little League World Series after a win over Columbus, Ga.

Justice Nakagawa hit a pinch-hit, three-run homer in the third and Noah Shackles struck out nine to lead the team from Waipahu, Hawaii.

The victory forces a rematch today with previously-unbeaten Georgia.

Hawaii put two runners on in the third with two outs when the 12-year-old Nakagawa drove an 0-2 pitch over the right-centerfield wall for a 5-0 lead.

“It felt really good because that was my first hit,” the 12-year-old infielder said, trying to contain his own giggles.

Kobie Buglioli had two RBIs, and Georgia scored three runs in the sixth before Keolu Ramos ended the game by getting a groundout.