Evan Taveras struck out 12 Pennsylvania batters in five and two-thirds innings, and Hawaii scored two runs in the first inning to earn a 3-1 victory in the Little League World Series on Wednesday.
The loss eliminated Council Rock Newtown from the tournament. The Bucks County team, which represents the Mid-Atlantic region, lost its first game but then won the next two before being eliminated in a nail-biting match on Wednesday afternoon.
Kanon Nakama was relieved in the sixth inning, and after allowing a hit and a walk to put the tying points on base, he struck out the next batter to secure the win at Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport.
Hawaii only had six hits. Nakama scored one of the runs in the first inning with a sacrifice fly.
The winners scored one more run in the fifth inning, but then had to hold on as Pennsylvania caught up in its final at-bat.
Will Seveter scored the only run for Pennsylvania.
Brextyn Kamaha’o Hong (18) of Wailuku, Hawaii, fields a wild pitch from third base as Ryan Uhl (right) of Newtown, Pa., serves as catcher during the second inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. Hawaii won 3-1. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)AP
Brayden Peiffer pitched well for Council Rock Newtown, allowing just six hits and three runs, two earned. He pitched until the fifth and was then relieved by Tyler Wexler.
Hawaii, which is 3-1 in the series, next plays Wednesday at 7 p.m. against the winner of Tuesday night’s game between Florida and New York.
