Hawaii blanks South Korea to win Little League World Series championship

[TexasTowelie]

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — It only took one pitch for Mana Lau Kong to deliver Hawaii its first Little League World Series title in a decade.

Against a South Korea team that hadn't surrendered a home run in the tournament, Kong drove the first pitch his team saw over the center field fence. As he rounded the bases and headed home, his teammates poured out of the dugout in a pack led by pitcher Ka'olu Holt and formed a huddle around home plate.

"It was great," Holt said, "because we all knew that pitcher was tough to hit."

Holt took it from there, throwing a two-hitter to lead Hawaii to a 3-0 victory in the Little League World Series championship, the first shutout in a title game since 2002. It was Holt's first-ever complete game.

Read more: https://www.trentonian.com/sports/hawaii-blanks-south-korea-to-win-little-league-world-series/article_76580e48-a983-11e8-8219-77c7323fdb95.html

[Yupster]

1. I'm amazed

I thought the Koreans would crush them. The Koreans have been flawless through the series.

Congrats Hawaii.

[MaryMagdaline]

2. Congratulations, Hawaii!!

[MontanaMama]

3. I have such a soft spot for Little League.

My kiddo still plays but this was his last season of 12U. Our team lost the state championship this year. So happy for Hawaii! Little boys playing baseball will always be near and dear to my heart.

[BHDem53]

4. Congratulations to Hawaii!!

I would have liked to have seen Puerto Rico in the mix after what they've been through the past year.