GENERAL NEWS

Hawaii wins Little League World Series, beating Curacao 13-3

Aug 28, 2022, 5:30 PM

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT (AP) — Hawaii got back-to-back homers from Kekoa Payanal and Kama Angell in the first inning, sparking a 13-3 win in just four innings Sunday over Curacao in the championship of the Little League World Series.

The LLWS title is Hawaii’s fourth. It won in 2018 and this same Honolulu team finished third last year, when COVID-19 travel restrictions prevented international teams from participating.

Hawaii starter Jaron Lancaster was dominant once again as he threw all four innings, while only allowing three runs, three hits and striking out 10 Curacao hitters.

Curacao took the first lead of any team over Hawaii in the tournament when Davey Jay-Rijke led off the game with what looked like a bloop single, but he bolted on to second when neither middle infielder were covering that bag. Davey-Jay eventually came around to score on a wild pitch.

But Hawaii only trailed for a few minutes. A home run from lead-off hitter Kekoa to left field, and a shot by Kama that barely cleared the wall in center, reignited the Hawaii side and put the team from the West region up 2-1. It also chased Curacao starter Shemar Jacobus.

The game ended in the fourth inning when Kama hit a single down the left-field line that scored Esaiah Wong to clinch the victory and another championship for Hawaii.

Under Little League rules, a team wins if it is leading by 10 runs or more after four innings.

Hawaii outscored its opponents over the course of the tournament by 55 runs and part of that was was without manager Gerald Oda, who missed several games with COVID-19.

Curacao sits at one title, which came back in 2004. But the team from a small Caribbean island with a population about the size of Springfield, Massachusetts, made it to the final in 2019 as well as this year.

General News

Shohei Ohtani #16 of Team Japan reacts after the final out of the World Baseball Classic Championsh...
Associated Press

Shohei Ohtani strikes out Mike Trout for final out, Japan bests U.S. in WBC

Shohei Ohtani emerged from the bullpen and fanned Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout for the final out of the World Baseball Classic.
3 days ago
(Photo via U.S. Soccer)...
Arizona Sports

U.S., Mexico soccer face off in Arizona for inaugural Allstate Continental Clásico

The U.S. men's soccer team will play Mexico in an exhibition at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on April 19.
10 days ago
Mike Trout Canada vs USA WBC (Jeremy Schnell/Arizona Sports)...
Associated Press

U.S. bounces back, routs Canada in World Baseball Classic at Chase Field

Mike Trout hit a three-run homer, Lance Lynn threw five impressive innings and the United States used a nine-run first to cruise.
10 days ago
William Byron, left, leads Kyle Larson early during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Phoenix Race...
Associated Press

William Byron wins NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway

William Byron won his second straight Cup race by beating out his Hendrick Motorsports teammate in overtime on Sunday.
12 days ago
The Grand Canyon Lopes mascot Thunder the Antelope performs during a semifinal game of the Western ...
Arizona Sports

GCU basketball wins WAC Tournament final, reaches 2nd NCAA Tournament

Grand Canyon basketball defeated Sothern Utah 84-66 in the WAC Tournament final to reach its second NCAA Tournament.
12 days ago
Kyle Schwarber #12 of Team USA is congratulated by Mike Trout #27 and Paul Goldschmidt #46 after hi...
Associated Press

US opens World Baseball Classic with win over Great Britain at Chase Field

The United States overcame a slow start to beat Great Britain 6-2 on Saturday night in the World Baseball Classic opener for both teams.
13 days ago
Hawaii wins Little League World Series, beating Curacao 13-3