Mahalo for supporting Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Enjoy this free story!

On the field, the Honolulu Little League’s 11-2 victory on Saturday against the Northern California representative, Tri-City Rocklin, was about solid hitting and outstanding pitching. Read more

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. >> On the field, the Honolulu Little League’s 11-2 victory on Saturday against the Northern California representative, Tri-City Rocklin, was about solid hitting and outstanding pitching.

Off the field, there were a lot of spiritual values and teamwork lessons that manager Gerald Oda found important.

Honolulu won the 2018 West Region championship. The local kids advanced to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., with their first game at 2 p.m. on Friday. The first game will be against the Southeastern Region representative, Peachtree City American Little League from Georgia.

“There are a lot of deep alohas and mahalos for the parents and everyone who supported us,” Oda said. “This was a total team effort. We told players it’s not about you, it’s about the effect you have on the whole team.”

Instead of having their last name or league name above their uniform number, they had a phrase, “WE>ME.” Oda said that was a saying used by Saint Louis baseball coach George Gusman.

“We asked Coach to see if it was OK to use it, and he gave us his blessing,” Oda said. It may have been the first time an algebra symbol found its way onto a baseball uniform.

The celebration after the final out may last into the morning.

“We’re going to stay up all night and party with the Idaho team,” said Sean Yamaguchi. Idaho won the Northwest Region title earlier on Saturday.

Winning pitcher Aukai Kea got off to a shaky start in the game, walking leadoff hitter Troy Ueltzen. Nathan Erickson hit a double just beyond the reach of center fielder Jace Souza.

Kea quickly rebounded by striking out Aiden Weissenberg-Frost for the first out. It was the first of 13 strikeouts by Kea, who fielded a high bouncer down the first-base line for the second out, although a run scored. Another run scored on a wild pitch, but that ended any charity by Kea.

“I was a little nervous at the start, but I knew my teammates were behind me,” Kea said. “My fastball was working well, and I love to throw gas.”

Honolulu evened the score in the bottom of the first when Yamaguchi hit a two-run home run to left.

“It was a low curveball and I made great contact,” Yamaguchi said.

Yamaguchi finished the game by striking out three batters in the sixth inning after Kea reached his pitch limit.

“This is amazing,” Yamaguchi said when asked how it feels to go to Williamsport. “For three years, we practiced every day.”

Honolulu defeated Silverado West from Las Vegas on Thursday night to reach the final.

Kea helped snap the tie in the bottom of the third when he singled to left, stole second and came home on two wild pitches.

Honolulu scored four runs in the fourth inning and added four more runs in the fifth inning. Yamaguchi and first baseman Mana Lau Kong had RBI singles in the fourth. Kaolu Holt doubled in a run in the fifth inning, while Yamaguchi and Kea added run-scoring singles.

The team made solid contact at bat all night, even though some balls were hit right at Tri-City Rocklin fielders for outs. Tri-City Rocklin coach Dave Ueltzen said Erickson might have been overthrowing and trying too hard.

Oda praised the Northern Californians for their play in the tournament.

“They had a tough schedule to get here,” Oda said. “They play the game the right way.”

Teams from Hawaii won the Little League World Series in 2005 and 2008. The team is expected to fly to Williamsport today.