But when he got the sudden call in the first inning with unbeaten Hilo, already trailing host Brewer 4-0, the righthander responded with a vintage long relief performance that lifted the U.S. West champions to a 6-4 victory over the Maine District 3 representatives during the final day of pool play at the 2007 Senior League World Series for 14- to 16-year-olds.

Hernandez worked four scoreless innings, allowing three hits while striking out three and walking one for the Pool A winners, who will face 2006 SLWS winner Falcon, Venezuela, the Pool B runner-up Friday morning in the first of two semifinals.

"I just came in and threw strikes," said Hernandez, "and my defense helped me a lot."

Pool B champion Tyler, Texas, will play Pool A runner-up Cartersville, Ga., in Friday's second semifinal, with the winners to meet at Saturday for the SLWS championship.

"It's indescribable to have this chance," said catcher Kolten Wong. "We made it the (2003) Cal Ripken World Series (final) and lost, and we got embarrassed. Then my brother won in Cal Ripken last year and he's always bragging about it so now I want to win one myself."