Despite building a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, the Northwest Region champ Mill Creek, Wash., couldn't overcome the hitting of the West champ Waipahu, Hawaii. Mill Creek will now be watching the rest of the Little League World Series from the stands. Tanner Tokunaga and Iolana Akau each hit two-run, first-inning home runs and Hawaii built a two-run advantage it never relinquished as it defeated Washington, 9-4, in a U.S. semifinal at Lamade Stadium. Hawaii (4-0), advances to Saturday's U.S. final where it will play either Florida or Louisiana.

"The next time we take the field there's only two U.S. teams left playing," Hawaii manager Timo Donahue said. "That says a lot." Back in pool play, Hawaii also trailed 2-0 in the first inning of a game against Florida, and held scoreless until the third inning. But this time, Hawaii got right back into the game.

Errors were costly for Mill Creek in first inning allowing Christian Donahue to reach first base. Then Tokunaga slammed a 0-1 pitch onto the hill over the center field fence thus tying !http://community.active.com/servlet/JiveServlet/download/38-20884/TeamTalk.jpg?blogID=8913&blogPostID=9741|height=315|style=padding:8px;|align=left|width=210|src=http://community.active.com/servlet/JiveServlet/download/38-20884/TeamTalk.jpg?blogID=8913&blogPostID=9741!the game 2-2. This was followd by another error by Mill Creek as Winchester reached first base and Iolana Akau lined a two-run home run over the center-field wall, putting Hawaii ahead to stay, 4-2.

"When I was up I was nervous because I got beaned the last time," said Akau. "I just tried to get a base hit and came through." Washington managed to pull within 4-3 in the second inning on KJ Neaville's home run, but in the third inning, Winchester hit his first pitch down the left-field line for a home run. Kainoa Fong finished a three-run rally, hitting a two-run double and extending the lead to 7-3.

Washington had several chances to even things up with Hawaii. They had seven hits but left 11 runners on base including two in scoring position in each of the last five innings. Trailing 7-3 in the fourth inning, Washington loaded the bases with two outs, but scored only on a passed ball before Tokunaga, pitching in relief, ended the threat with a strikeout. Washington also had second and third with one out and the heart of its order coming up in the second inning, but was unable to score following Neaville's home run.



"One of those big hits could change the game," Washington manager Scott Mahlum said. "I felt like we had a chance to get more runs in the first inning and break it open, but Hawaii just hit a couple more out of the ball park than we did." "I just told the guys to be proud," Mahlum said. "We're the first team from Mill Creek to ever get her!http://community.active.com/servlet/JiveServlet/download/38-20885/ClassAct.jpg?blogID=8913&blogPostID=9741|style=padding:8px;|align=right|src=http://community.active.com/servlet/JiveServlet/download/38-20885/ClassAct.jpg?blogID=8913&blogPostID=9741!e. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and a great experience."

The final blow for Washington to have a chance came in the in the bottom of the fourth as Winchester hammered a two-run home run shot to almost the same spot he had hit one in the third inning and extended Hawaii's lead (and final score) to 9-4. "I just go up there and clutch up and hit the ball," said Winchester, who has three home runs in four Series games. "We're just having fun."

Unlike the 11 runners left on base for Washington, Hawaii left just four runners on base and now will watch the Florida-Louisiana game to see if it can capture the World Series title like Ewa Beach, Hawaii did in 2005. The next time we take the field, there’s only going to be two U.S. teams left,” said Donahue, “and that in itself is saying a lot.”

The Washington team showed a lot of class at the end of the game. After the traditional Little League shaking of the opposing team hands, the whole team went in front of where the Hawaii team parents were sitting in the stands and applauded them. A very classy act to be sure.

*BOX SCORE

Mill Creek, Wa. 210 100 – 4 2 2

West Waipahu, Hi. 403 20x – 9 8 0*

W

– Caleb Duhay (1-0). L – Derrick Mahlum (0-1).* S* – Christian Donahue (1). 2B – Kainoa Fong (WP), Peyton McLemore (LC). HR – Tanner Tokunga (WP), Iolana Akau (WP), Pikai Winchester, 2 (WP) KJ Neaville (MC).