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The Honolulu Advertiser

Updated at 4:05 p.m., Monday, August 19, 2002

Waipi'o wins, but eliminated from series

• Previous story: Texas hands Waipi'o first loss, 8-0, in Little League
Waipi'o Little Leaguer 9th girl to play in series

Advertiser Staff and wire report

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Travis Jones, who hit a game-winning homer in the bottom of the sixth to win Friday's opener, did it again Monday, hitting a game-winning two-run homer to lift Waipi'o to a 2-1 victory over Webb City, Mo., in the Little League World Series.

Webb City scored on a wild pitch in the top of the sixth inning for a 1-0 lead. In the bottom half, Isaac Moises walked and on an 0-2 pitch, Jones connected, sending the ball over the center-field fence.

The victory gave Waipi'o a 2-1 record in its pool and forged a three-way tie for first place. But because of the tiebreaker system employed in this tournament, Waipi‘'o finished third with Worcester finishing first and Fort Worth second. Only the top two teams in each of the four, four-team pools advance to the semifinal rounds.

Because of Worcester's 6-0 victory over Fort Worth earlier in the day, Waipi‘o was all but eliminated before the start of its game.

In case of a three-way tie, the first tiebreaker is total runs allowed, divided by number of innings played defense. The team with the best percentage advances. Then, the second berth will be decided on head-to-head play.

Worcester clinched the top seed in the pool by allowing the fewest runs per innings played defense (four runs in 17 1/2 innings).

Fort Worth, which had shutout its first two opponents, allowed six runs in 18 innings.

In two games, Waipi'o had allowed 11 runs in 18 innings.

The second tiebreaker would head-to-head result between Fort Worth and Waipi'o. Fort Worth defeated Waipi'o, 8-0, Sunday.

Frank Flynn, the losing pitcher against Waipi'o on Friday, hit a three-run homer and struck out nine to lead Worcester to victory.