Kauaʻi’s Kawaihau team rallies past Arizona, moves closer to trip to Little League World Series

The Kawaihau Community Little League majors All-Stars from Kapaʻa are one step closer to a trip to Williamsport, Penn., to play in the prestigious Little League Baseball World Series.

Kawaihau opened the Little League West Region Tournament with a 7-3 comeback victory Sunday over Arizona’s Chandler National Little League.

Kawaihau trailed early before scoring five runs in the sixth inning to pull away from Chandler at Al Houghton Stadium in San Bernardino, Calif.

The Hawaiʻi state champions will next play Tuesday against Southern California’s representative Sweetwater Valley Little League of Bonita in a nationally televised matchup on ESPN. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. HST.

Southern California beat Northern California 16-4 on Sunday to advance to the winner’s bracket against Hawaiʻi.

If Kawaihau beats Southern California, the team will face Arizona — the 7-5 winner against North California in the elimination bracket — in the West Region championship game on Friday at 3 p.m. HST. The champion advances to the Little League World Series.

Kawaihau’s path to the regional tournament came after the team battled through the Hawaiʻi state tournament, where it captured the state championship and earned the right to represent the islands in San Bernardino.

Kawaihau has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help offset transportation, lodging and other expenses for the players, families and coaches as they prepare.

Click here to view the complete team schedule calendar.