SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Lafayette, La., pitcher Jace Conrad did what no other pitcher had in the Little League World Series, shutting down West O'ahu on no hits through three innings.

But then Bubbles burst.

Second baseman Sheyne Baniaga, who teammates and coaches refer to as "Bubbles," broke up the no-hitter and a scoreless game in the fourth, crushing a mammoth two-run home run to left-center field that helped lead West O'ahu of 'Ewa Beach to a 2-0 win before a crowd of 16,496 at Lamade Stadium.

"Our coach let me know that the outside pitch was coming, a fastball, so hog the plate," Baniaga said. "It came outside so I knew what pitch was coming."

West O'ahu moves into tomorrow's U.S. championship and will play Vista, Calif., at 9:30 a.m. (HST). West O'ahu is trying to become the first team from Hawai'i to win a world championship and the first to reach the title game since Pearl City in 1988.

Baniaga's home run cleared the bushes beyond the outfield wall and landed on the hill behind Lamade Stadium. It was the ninth home run hit by West O'ahu in four Little League World Series games and could not have come at a better time. The Northwest champions had outscored their first three opponents, 24-4, and had not been involved in a close game during pool play.

Baniaga's home run was the only hit West O'ahu managed off Conrad but it gave it valuable momentum after Louisiana had threatened to take the lead in the third inning.

"It's elimination time and we were kind of tight," West O'ahu manager Layton Aliviado said. "When the home run came it gave us a relief. That team is tough."

Baniaga's home run provided all the runs West O'ahu needed as pitchers Kini Enos and Quinton Guevara combined to pitch a five-hitter.

Aliviado said if West O'ahu were to advance to the world championship, Enos would be unable to pitch but Guevara would be available.

Louisiana outhit its opponent for a second straight game but lost for the second straight time. The Southwest champions finished with a 2-2 Little League World Series record and went 14-5 this summer while reaching Williamsport for the first time.

"I've watched the Little League World Series on TV with my boys since they were in diapers," Louisiana manager Mike Conrad said. "The experience of being here is awesome. For the kids it might take them years to realize where they were."

The Southwest champions appeared poised to take the lead and extend their season in the third inning when Ryan Bergeron singled and moved to third on Sam Scofield's double. Enos, though, got Conrad to ground out to first base to end the threat.

Trailing 2-0, Louisiana rallied in the fifth inning as Bergeron and Brenn Conrad hit consecutive two-out singles. Again, Enos induced a ground ball and shortstop Baniaga ended the rally by throwing to second for a fielder's choice.

"I felt more comfortable when he (Baniaga) got the home run," Enos said. "We finally had the lead."

Louisiana had 16 hits in its last two games but left 15 runners on base.

Enos won his second game at the Little League World Series, scattering five hits over five innings while striking out eight. The right-hander has 18 strikeouts in his last two starts.

Guevara earned the save, retiring the side in order in the sixth inning. Guevara struck out the first two batters and clinched the win when Connor Toups grounded out to second.

"I was nervous," Guevara said. "I tried not to think about being nervous and tried to hit my spots."

Conrad pitched better than anyone has against West O'ahu this postseason, allowing two balls to leave the infield. The right-hander was hit hard in a 9-8 pool-play win over Kentucky but stifled West O'ahu, striking out six.

"He (Jace) wanted it more," said Mike Conrad. "He's a tough kid and he's a competitor and he felt he had to redeem himself."

Tyler Douglas tried to start a rally and give Conrad some run support in the fourth inning when he led off by hitting a screaming line drive toward center field. Harrison Kam, however, hustled in and made a diving catch and Louisiana did not move a runner past second base again.

Aliviado said the first order of business after the game, which ended around 9:30 p.m. Eastern time, was dinner.

"I told them, let's have some fun, have some pizza. Let's go eat," he said with a smile.

YESTERDAY'S RESULTS

Curacao 16, Guam 1, 5 innings, mercy rule
West Oahu 2, Lafayette, La. 0
Tomorrow's games, Hawai'i times
Rancho Bueno Vista vs. West Oahu, U.S. championship, 9:30 a.m.
Japan vs. Curacao, International championship, 1:30 p.m.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Sunday's games
Third place
U.S. runner-up vs. International runner-up, 6 a.m.
Championship
International champion vs. U.S. champion, 9:30 a.m.