Evan Tavares struck out nine in 5 1/3 innings as Wailuku, Hawaii, blanked Hinsdale, Ill., 5-0 on Friday to record a second consecutive victory in the Little League World Series at Williamsport, Pa.
Tavares, who fanned the first five batters he faced, allowed just two hits and one walk. Kellen Takamura took over and got the last two outs. Gabriel Laloulu scored two runs for Hawaii.
Illinois starting pitcher Dillon Phelan walked four while yielding four runs (two earned) on two hits in 2 2/3 innings. He struck out five.
The result moves Hawaii into a U.S. upper-bracket semifinal against Henderson, Nev., on Monday. Illinois heads to a lower-bracket game on Sunday against an opponent to be determined.
Taiwan 11, Australia 0 (5 innings)
Taoyuan City, Taiwan, coming off throwing a no-hitter in its opener, pitched a one-hitter against Sydney, Australia in its second game.
Lin Chun-Yi opened on the mound for Taiwan and tossed two no-hit innings. Chiu Wei-Che followed with two innings of one-hit ball, fanning five, before Yu Teng-Hao handled the fifth inning. Taiwan advanced to face Venezuela in an international winners-bracket semifinal on Monday.
Taiwan cleanup hitter Liao Hsuan-Hao finished with three hits and five RBIs, while Ciou Zhi-Kai walked three times and scored three runs. Sayre Howick, the losing pitcher, collected Australia’s lone hit.
Venezuela 10, Mexico 0 (4 innings)
Jhonson Freitez homered to lead Barquisimeto, Venezuela, in its first game of the tournament, past Tamaulipas, Mexico, which had won its opener.
Willian’s Mora added two hits, two runs and two RBIs for Venezuela, while Luis Yepez and Jesus Diaz collected two hits apiece. Yepez struck out five in three scoreless innings, and Mora tossed a scoreless fourth inning.
Francisco Aguilar had the only hit for Mexico, which will play in the international losers bracket on Sunday.
–Field Level Media