Sunday, August 26, 2018

Hawaii wins World Series

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. >> After striking out his 15th batter to end the game, Hawaii’s Aukai Kea pumped his fists and let out a shout for all to hear.

Within seconds, Kea’s teammates sprinted to the pitcher’s mound to congratulate their team’s ace, hugging and pounding on him. Hawaii shut out Georgia 3-0 and Kea’s complete game sealed its berth in the Little League World Series championship.

“I just pitched my heart out,” Kea said. “Did as best I could.”

About 60 feet away, the Hawaii faithful chanted “Hon-o-lulu!” in the stands over the first-base dugout. As his home state dealt with record rainfall from Tropical Storm Lane, Kea took full note of the fans’ energy.

“When I was on the mound, I could hear them and I was like, ‘That’s why we’re here. That’s who we’re playing for. We’re playing for home, playing for Hawaii,’ ” Kea said.

After claiming the U.S championship, Hawaii will face South Korea — which beat Japan 2-1 to win the International championship — at 9 a.m. today in the LLWS championship. The game will be shown live on KITV.

The Honolulu team won the United States championship thanks to Kea’s dominant performance. He struck out 15 and didn’t allow a runner past first base. Kea and Georgia pitcher Connor Riggs-Soper were locked in a pitcher’s duel before the local kids broke through for one run in the fourth on a two-out single by pinch hitter John De la Cruz that plated Hunter Nishina.

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