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Hawaii Wins Little League Title

By the Associated Press

Posted Aug 24, 2008 8:56 PM CDT

(AP) – Hawaii's mini-mashers got a little help from Mexico's miscues to win a fourth straight Little League World Series title for the United States. Tanner Tokunaga smacked two homers and Iolana Akau added a solo blast as the boys from Waipahu, Hawaii, defeated Matamoros, Mexico, 12-3, to take the biggest prize in youth sports.

Hawaii was helped by three Mexico errors. Two Hawaii runs scored on passed balls, and another came in on a bases-loaded walk. But Mexico's lineup is loaded with dangerous hitters, so the lead wasn't safe until reliever Christian Donahue got Fernando Villegas to ground out to shortstop. A team from Ewa Beach, Hawaii, started the US winning streak in 2005, with Little Leaguers from Georgia taking the prize the previous two years.

Hawaii's Tanner Tokunaga, center, is welcomed by teammates Jedd Andrade, top left, and Kainoa Fong (2) after hitting a second-inning, two-run homer.
Hawaii's Tanner Tokunaga, center, is welcomed by teammates Jedd Andrade, top left, and Kainoa Fong (2) after hitting a second-inning, two-run homer.   (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Waipahu, Hawaii, players celebrate their 12-3 win over Matamoros, Mexico, in the championship game of the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.
Waipahu, Hawaii, players celebrate their 12-3 win over Matamoros, Mexico, in the championship game of the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.   (Carolyn Kaster)
Mexico's Jose Rodriguez , right, greets  Hawaii's Keelen Obedoza after the game.
Mexico's Jose Rodriguez , right, greets Hawaii's Keelen Obedoza after the game.   (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
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Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

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