Sheldon Otsuka, Kulea Bondallian and Kyle Correia each drove in two runs as Hilo beat Northern Washington, 6-4, yesterday in the championship game of the Little League Big League (ages 16-18) Division I Divisional Tournament at Vancouver, Wash.

Hilo trailed 4-1 after two innings, but scored three in the third to tie the game.

In the fifth, Correia put Hilo ahead 6-4 with a two-run double to right.

Hilo advanced to the regional tournament, which starts tomorrow in Sacramento, Calif.

Earlier yesterday, Northern Washington beat Hilo, 2-1, to force a second game.

SOCCER

UH ATOP WAC POLL

The University of Hawai'i women's soccer team was picked to win the Western Athletic Conference, earning the preseason honor for the first time.

The Rainbow Wahine, led by two-time WAC Player of the Year Natasha Kai, received seven first-place votes and 49 points in a vote of conference coaches. Hawai'i coach Pinsoom Tenzing was not allowed to vote for his own team.

Fresno State, which received the other first-place vote, was second with 43 points, followed by San Jose State (35), Boise State (28) and Nevada (26).

Conference newcomers Utah State (19), Idaho (17) and Louisiana Tech (7) round out the eight-team conference.

The top six teams will advance to the WAC Tournament, with its winner earning an automatic NCAA Tournament berth.

Southern Methodist, last season's regular-season champion and four-time defending WAC tournament champ, along with Rice, Texas-El Paso and Tulsa, have left the WAC to join Conference USA.

The WAC coaches' preseason poll (first-place votes in parentheses): 1, Hawai'i (7) 49 points. 2, Fresno State (1) 43. 3, San Jose State 35. 4, Boise State 28. 5, Nevada 26. 6, Utah State 19. 7, Idaho 17. 8, Louisiana Tech 7.

GOLF

LEE, HAVENS QUALIFY

Regan Lee captured the Aloha Section TaylorMade-adidas Golf PGA Assistant Championship at Honolulu Country Club yesterday, qualifying for the national championship from Oct. 27 to 30 in Florida.

Lee shot 68 yesterday for a final score of 140 and a five-stroke victory over David Havens and Joey Tadeo, who finished tied at 145.

Havens earned the Aloha Section's second spot in the national championship by defeating Tadeo on their first playoff hole.

SURFING

IRONS BROTHERS TO MEET

Hawai'i surfers Andy Irons, Bruce Irons and Fred Patacchia Jr. advanced to the fourth round of the Billabong Pro yesterday in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa.

The third round was completed in 4- to 6-foot waves.

Andy Irons, the three-time defending world champion, defeated Brazil's Bernardo Pigmeu, 16.0-8.83. Irons is scheduled to face younger brother Bruce Irons in the fourth round.

Bruce Irons was one of yesterday's top performers, defeating Australia's Mark Occhilupo, 18.43-17.83.