Central East Maui wins opening game of Little League World Series over Salem

In pursuit of Hawai’i’s 5th Little League Baseball World Series Crown, West Region-representative Central East Maui held on for a win against New England Region-representative Salem, 3-1, in the opening round of games at Lamade Stadium in Pennsylvania on Wednesday. 

Central East Maui got to work quickly with a three-run bottom of the 1st behind a two-run single to right field by Hayden Takahashi that was followed up by an RBI single up the middle by Eassie Miller. Starting pitcher Evan Tavares dazzled in his 2.1 innings of work by striking out seven of the nine total batters he faced, earning the win for the West squad. 

Kanon Nakama entered in relief for Tavares, going 2.1 innings in relief and striking out four New England batters. The right-hander found himself in some trouble late, loading the bases with a trio of walks in the top of the 5th as the Salem squad scratched across the lone run of the afternoon.  

Brextyn Kamaha’o Hong registered the save for the West’s team, closing the door on the New England comeback attempt in the top of the 6th by inducing a bases-loaded, line-drive double-play to end it with Central East Maui on top, 3-1. 

Takahashi went 2-for-2 with a pair of singles for the Wailuku, Hawai’i-based team that totaled six hits throughout the afternoon. The Central East Maui pitching staff racked up 12 strikeouts over the six innings of play but allowed six free passes in the victory. 

The West Region-representatives will play again on Friday, August 16 at 9 a.m. HT against Great Lakes Region-representative Hinsdale (IL), who went 3-0 during regional play and received an opening round bye.