Central East Maui Little League advanced to the Little League World Series with a 2-1 win over Eastvale Little League of Southern California on Friday.
In the winner-take-all championship game, pitcher Evan Tavares was masterful, allowing one run with 13 strikeouts in 5.1 innings, reaching the 85-pitch limit before he could complete the game but getting credited for the win. Kanon Nakama closed out the game for CEM, recording a two-out save.
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Hayden Takahashi’s RBI single in the top of the fifth broke a 1-1 tie, scoring Tavares and giving Central East Maui the lead for good.
CEM will open Little League World Series against Salem Little League of New Hampshire on Aug. 14 at 9 a.m. HST on ESPN.
The 2024 Little League World Series is Central East Maui’s second appearance in the Little League World Series. CEM previously played in the 2019 LLWS, finishing as the United States runner-up and fourth overall.