Hawaii rallies on homer, stays alive in LLWS
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Matthew Campos gave Hawaii’s offense one big punch, and one inning of wildness on the mound cost Ohio a chance to move on at the Little League World Series.
Called on to pinch hit, Campos had Waipahu’s only hit with a game-tying three-run homer in the fourth inning in the West region champs’ 6-4 victory Wednesday. Two runs later scored on a hit batter and wild pitch.
The 12-year-old Campos said it was July when he last homered. No wonder he had a wide smile rounding third as his teammates gathered to greet him at the plate.
Hamilton, Ohio, scored three runs in the top of the fourth to go up 4-0 before Ezra Heleski came on in relief and got the final two outs for Hawaii. He pitched the final 2 2/3 innings for the win.
Hawaii faces a must-win game today against Georgia to stay alive for a berth in the U.S. final.
Also Wednesday, Auburn, Wash., beat Pearland, Texas, 7-4 to avoid elimination and set up a rematch today, with the winner getting the other spot in the U.S. final.
A four-run fifth lifted Taiwan past Panama 5-1, clinching a berth in Saturday’s international final against Japan, with the winner moving on to the World Series final Sunday.