Maui Advances to US Title Game in Little League World Series

The Central East Maui team from Wailuku, Maui advances to the US Championship game in the Little League World Series taking place this week in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

The Maui team defeated the Southeast Region team, South Riding, Va. in a 12-9 victory on Wednesday.

Both teams headed into today’s game undefeated in the tournament with two wins each under their belt. Maui continues that streak with today’s win, while Virginia logs their first loss of the series and faces River Ridge, Louisiana in the consolation bracket on Thursday.

Maui now moves to the US Championship game on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. HST (3:30 EST). The winner of the US Final will secure a spot in the World Series title game on Sunday, Aug. 25.

In the international bracket, Chofu City, Japan advanced to the International title game after defeating the Asia-Pacific region’s South Chungcheong KOR earlier today. Japan’s opponent on Saturday will be either Willemstad, Curacao or South Chungcheong, South Korea in a game that will be decided today.

The Maui team scored in each of the first five innings: 5 in the first; 1 in the second; 2 in third; 1 in the fourth; and 3 in the fifth.

That left them with a one run lead of 9 to 8 as the headed into the bottom of the 4th inning; and a four run lead of 12 to 8 heading into the bottom of the 5th.

Jarren Pasqual hit a double in the top of the 5th, pushing Maui three runs ahead of Virginia.

In the bottom of the 6th, Virginia managed to score another run, bring in them within three runs of the Maui team.

The Maui team advanced to today’s match after defeating Elizabeth, N.J. in a 6-0 victory on Monday. That was part two of a game that started on Saturday but was delayed due to lightning and rain.

The double-elimination tournament features 16 teams from around the world. The age cap this year means there’s no teenagers on the roster, only 11- and 12-year-olds playing for the tournament title.

The team from Wailuku Maui advanced to the Little League World Series after winning the West Regional Title on Aug. 10, in San Bernardino, California.

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