ABERDEEN, Md. — Timely hitting and strong pitching enabled Hilo to capture the championship game of the Cal Ripken World Series, 5-2, over Mexico yesterday, giving Hawai'i its second straight title.

Along the way, Hilo manager Kaha Wong made the "biggest mistake of my coaching career," but it proved to be a harmless sidenote.

Three Hilo pitchers kept the Mexico hitters off-balance for most of the game played at Cal Sr.'s Yard and, for the second consecutive day, a big blow at the plate was delivered by Hilo's Ridge Hoopii-Haslam.

Yesterday's game was the third consecutive year teams from Hawai'i and Mexico had met in the title game for players 12 and younger. Last year, the O'ahu All-Stars won it all, but in 2004, a team from Hilo — also coached by Wong — lost to Mexico.

"To come here and defend the title; we defended their (O'ahu's) title. It was sweet. The thing is, up here we're Hawai'i, not Hilo."

In the bottom of the first yesterday, Hilo took a 3-0 lead.

Hoopii-Haslam led off with a single to center off left-hander Efren Delgado. Kean Wong's sacrifice bunt was bobbled by Mexico's third baseman, putting runners at first and second.

Ekolu Martins doubled in Hoopii-Haslam, and advanced Kean Wong to third. Kawika Pruett, the clean-up hitter, singled up the middle to score Wong and Martins.

After a single by Jordan Jinbo, Delgado was replaced by right-hander Ray Orozco, who escaped without further damage.

Hilo tacked on two more runs in the second on a two-run home run to left by Hoopii-Haslam. Kiani Wong opened the inning by reaching on a pop fly hit that fell in front of Mexico catcher Jose Ceballos, as several of his teammates watched the ball drop.

On Saturday, Hoopii-Haslam belted a three-run homer in an 8-1 victory over Bryant, Ark., in the U.S. championship game.

Kaha Wong said Hoopii-Haslam was struggling earlier in the tournament because "he was trying to pull everything out of park. You can't pull everything. He was hitting the pitchers' pitches. He was looking for his pitch and you saw what he did."

Mexico threatened in the top of the third, putting runners on first and third with two outs and sending Kaha Wong to the mound for the second time in the inning to check on Pruett.

According to Babe Ruth Baseball rules, Kaha Wong was required to remove Pruett from the mound, and Wong called upon Martins, who started the previous day.

"It was probably the biggest mistake of my coaching career," Kaha Wong said.

Kaha Wong said Pruett had a fever and was vomiting the night before and he wanted to check how he was feeling on the second visit.

"The move I made was like a parent to a kid, not knowing it was my second visit," the manager said. "It wasn't planned. But I knew I had more pitching to back me up."

After the mistake, Kaha Wong thought he could put Martins in for one batter — while Pruett played another position — and then put Pruett back on the mound.

Kaha Wong added the strategy was allowed in the regionals, but not for the World Series.

Pruett allowed three hits with one walk and six strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings.

A run scored when the Hilo right fielder dropped a fly ball, and Martins walked Ceballos to load the bases. Martins got Orozco to ground out to end the inning.

In the top of the fourth, Martins was replaced by Kean Wong after hitting the first batter and walking the second. Mexico scored on a fielder's choice with the bases loaded to get to 5-2.

Kean Wong picked up the win with 2 2/3 hitless innings with no walks and one strikeout.

The three Hilo pitchers allowed three hits and struck out seven.

Hilo had seven hits against a Mexico pitching staff that had allowed three runs in its six previous World Series games.

"I trained these kids for three years to come here and beat Mexico," said Kaha Wong, who expressed pride in what his players did and thanked all their supporters in the stands as he accepted the championship trophy from Cal Ripken Jr.