Hawaii, Curacao Win and Advance

The streaking batters from Hawaii were silenced, except for one big home run. The slumping batters from Curacao broke out with an 11-run inning.

On Thursday, each team advanced at the Little League World Series.

Sheyne Baniaga’s two-run homer to left field in the fourth inning was the only hit for West Oahu of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, in its 2-0 victory over Lafayette, La., on Thursday night.

West Oahu (4-0) will play another undefeated team, Rancho Buena Vista of Vista, in the U.S. championship game on Saturday.

In the early game Thursday, Christopher Garia gave up two hits and Willemstad, Curacao, the defending champion, scored 11 runs in the fifth inning to rout Mangilao-Barrigado, Guam, 16-1, to advance to the international championship game against Japan.

For West Oahu, Baniaga’s homer was enough for starter Kini Enos, who struck out eight and gave up five hits over five innings.

The homer spoiled a fine pitching performance from Jace Conrad, who held West Oahu hitless for the first three innings. Hawaii was batting .333 with eight home runs in its first three tournament games.

Lafayette (2-2) threatened in the top of the third after Jace’s brother, Brenn, reached on a fielder’s choice and Sam Scofield doubled to put runners on second and third.

But Enos got Jace Conrad to bounce to first base on the next pitch.

Left-hander Quentin Guevara relived Enos in the sixth inning and got Connor Toups to ground to second to end the game and eliminate Lafayette.

Earlier Thursday, Curacao, the defending champ from the Pabao Little League, sent 15 batters to the plate in the top of the fifth to secure the victory. The game ended after Guam hit in the bottom of the inning because of the 10-run mercy rule, and Guam was eliminated.

Curacao was batting .182 for the tournament before Thursday and had only four hits over its previous two outings. On Saturday, Curacao will meet Japan, which beat Curacao, 9-0, earlier in the tournament.