PLAY — Kanon Nakama’s game-ending strikeout: Pennsylvania fought hard and was able to cut a three-run deficit while getting runners on base to tie the game in the sixth inning. Nakama, however, remained calm. After throwing a ball to the next batter, he came back with a bang, throwing consecutive strikes before two pitches were called fouls. He then ended the game with his strikeout, securing Hawaii a spot among the top four teams in the country.

HAWAII PLAYER OF THE GAME — Evan Tavares: He did it again. The left-handed ace pitched his latest masterpiece in a summer full of them. Tavares improved to 3-0 in the Series by giving up three hits and recording 12 strikeouts in 5 2/3 dominant innings. In three Series appearances, Tavares allowed just five hits and struck out 28 strikeouts in 13 1/3 innings. After leaving two runners on the road in the first inning, Tavares kicked it into gear, striking out nine batters in a row from the second through the fourth innings, at one point recording six consecutive strikeouts. After Tavares reached his pitch limit, Kanon Nakama secured the save and recorded a game-winning strikeout with the tying runs on base.

PENNSYLVANIA PLAYER OF THE GAME – Sav Longo: Longo has been a dominant pitcher all summer and also swings a powerful bat. He delivered one final time on Tuesday, going 1 for 1 and drawing a walk. Longo also broke a streak of nine consecutive outs when he opened the fifth inning with a sharp single. Ryan Uhl also provided a spark, hitting a one-out double to deep right field in the sixth inning.

BIG INNING – Hawaii first: Tavares hasn’t allowed an earned run all summer, so Pennsylvania knew it was going to be tough to score runs. That’s why it was so important that Hawaii scored two runs in the bottom of the second inning. A two-run deficit against a pitcher like Tavares can feel a lot bigger and Hawaii had Pennsylvania in its grasp from that point on. Gauge Pacheco sparked the rally with a walk and Brextyn Kamaha;o Hong hit a single before Kanon Nakama scored the first run on a sacrifice fly. After Hayden Takahashi worked a two-out walk, he and Hong perfectly executed a two-out double steal. Nakama broke for second base and as soon as the catcher threw that way for the third out, Hong broke for home base. Both knocked off the throws with ease and Hawaii took a 2-0 lead.

Brextyn Kamaha’o Hong of the West team celebrates after scoring against the Mid-Atlantic team in the first inning of Tuesday afternoon’s game at Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport. The West Region team won 3-1. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

BEST PERFORMANCE – Pennsylvania’s sixth-inning comeback: Despite trailing by three runs and Tavares, Pennsylvania remained confident and pressed. After Uhl hit a double, Will Siveter built on the momentum and hit an RBI single. Tyler Wexler then fought off two pitches with two strikes and drew a walk, putting runners on base to tie the game and throwing the lineup into disarray. Kanon Nakama secured the win, however, when he got a game-ending strikeout. Still, the Mid-Atlantic champions fought back and showed the character that has gotten them this far this season.

FLASHING LEATHER–Hawaii right fielder Gauge Pacheco shined in left field to start Monday’s game and showed he’s just as excellent in right field when he fended off a first-inning threat in spectacular fashion. Pacheco showed off his speed and fearlessness when he ran into foul territory and made a super catch that saw him hold onto the ball while hitting the wall, leaving two runners behind. Pennsylvania shortstop Dean Hamilton got his first defensive spotlight two innings later, with Hamilton saving a run in the process. Brextyn Kamaha’o Hong hit a sharp grounder to center that looked like it would score a run with two outs. Instead, Hamilton ran behind the base, lined up, threw a laser ball to first baseman Brody Gage and ended the threat with two runners on base. In the next inning, it was Hawaii shortstop Kanon Nakama’s turn to show off his work with the glove. Nakama caught a well-hit grounder from Tyler Neeld on the move, and his snap throw ended another 1-2-3 inning from Tavares. Hamilton stayed with it and did it again in the bottom of the inning. And again he prevented a run. This time there was a runner on second base when Hamilton went to left and caught a dangerous liner from Kellen Takamura with a spectacular lunge. Hamilton caught the ball inches before it hit the ground and went to left-center field.

WHAT THE ADULTS SAY–“It’s a 3-1 game against the West and I guarantee you that anyone who came here didn’t think Mid-Atlantic had a chance. That’s what we do,” Pennsylvania manager Brad Hamilton was positive about his team’s comeback. “The message was that we’ve been through this before. We were down 1-9 and won games 10-9. That’s nothing we’re insecure about.”

“If the guys throw strikes and the hitters wake up, we will be hard to beat,” Said Hawaii manager Daniel Bolduc. “Every team is here for a reason. Every team will be strong throughout the tournament.”

WHAT THE CHILDREN SAY–“I just had to throw strikes and let the defense work,” Said Nakama. “It (the experience) helps because I’ve been there before and I know how to get out of it.”

Gauge Pacheco of the West team scores the first run of the game against the Mid-Atlantic team during Tuesday afternoon’s game at Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport. The West Region team won 3-1. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

WHAT IT MEANS – Hawaii won its third game in the series and remains in the series, advancing to the U.S. Final 4. The West champs have a quick turnaround and will play again on Wednesday against the winner of Tuesday night’s New York-Florida game. Pennsylvania ended its sensational run to finish among the top six teams in the country. Pennsylvania won two games in the series, entering the series with 18 wins, a U.S. record, and finished the All-Star season at 20-2.

Gauge Pacheco of the West team celebrates after scoring the first run of the game against the Mid-Atlantic team on Tuesday afternoon at Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport. The West Region team won 3-1. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Brextyn Kamaha’o Hong of the West team celebrates after scoring against the Mid-Atlantic team in the first inning of Tuesday afternoon’s game at Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport. The West Region team won 3-1. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Can Kaneshiro of the West Region team scores after being caught between third and home plate on a run down in the 5th inning against the Mid-Atlantic team during Tuesday afternoon’s game at Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport. The West Region team won 3-1. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Can Kaneshiro of the West Region team is caught between third and home plate on a run down in the 5th inning against the Mid-Atlantic team during Tuesday afternoon’s game at Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport. The West Region team won 3-1. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Can Kaneshiro of the West Region team is caught between third and home plate on a run down in the 5th inning against the Mid-Atlantic team during Tuesday afternoon’s game at Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport. The West Region team won 3-1. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Mid-Atlantic Region fans react to a call by the home plate umpire during Tuesday afternoon’s game at Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport. The West Region team won 3-1. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Kolten Magno of the West Region team catches a ball hit by Dean Hamilton of the Mid-Atlantic team in the 4th inning of Tuesday afternoon’s game at Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport. The West Region team won 3-1. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Dean Hamilton of the Mid-Atlantic team is called out at first base as Hayden Takahashi of the West Region team makes the play during Tuesday afternoon’s game at Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport. The West Region team won 3-1. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Can Kaneshiro of the West Region team scores after being caught between third and home plate on a run down in the 5th inning against the Mid-Atlantic team during Tuesday afternoon’s game at Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport. The West Region team won 3-1. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

West Region player Kanon Nakama celebrates his team’s 3-1 victory over the Mid-Atlantic team during Tuesday afternoon’s game at Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette