WAIPI'O — Pearl City won its fourth consecutive Little League Junior Division (13 to 14 years old) state championship yesterday, 7-6 over 'Ewa at Central O'ahu Regional Park.

Chase Numata gave up two runs on six hits over five innings in his first pitching appearance in nearly two weeks to earn the win. Numata suffered from an injury to his throwing shoulder, but said he was ready to go for the title game.

"I was excited, pumped," Numata said. He was told of the decision by the coaching staff prior to the first game of the day, a 16-5 'Ewa win, which forced the deciding game.

"We didn't expect him to throw," said Pearl City assistant coach Chad Obara. "He said he was feeling good, and his father said OK, and he gave us everything he got."

Pearl City advances to the West Regional in Beaverton, Ore., July 31 to Aug. 9. Last year's team advanced to the U.S. Championship game before losing to the eventual World Series champion, Texas.

'Ewa did not go quietly in the second game, rallying from a 5-0 deficit after two innings.

With Pearl City clinging to a 7-6 lead, Sumi Pruett relieved Numata and closed the door on 'Ewa in the seventh inning.

Pruett, who had grounded into a force out to end the sixth inning, got a pep talk from his coach before heading out for the final frame.

"He kind of hung his head after that and I told him 'We're up right now. Now you need to step up and finish' and that's what he did," Obara said.

Pruett got the leadoff batter to fly out to left for the first out and then struck out the final two batters to end the game.

Kahana Neal led off the bottom of the first for Pearl City with a solo home run, and Numata was hit by a Edward Gascon pitch to follow. Christian Perkins reached on a throwing error, which advanced Numata to third, and Pruett brought him in on a sacrifice fly to center field for a 2-0 lead.

Pearl City scored three more runs in the second inning for a 5-0 lead. Kory Nakamura scored on a double to center by Neal, and Numata helped his own cause, stroking a two-run double to plate Isaac Shim and Neal.

"I got really comfortable after that," said Numata, who threw 94 pitches (55 for strikes).

After 'Ewa scored a run in the top of the third to cut it to 5-1, Pruett hit a two-run blast in the bottom half to make it 7-1.

'Ewa answered back — helped by two Pearl City errors — with three runs in the fifth inning to make it 7-4. Robert Kahana's two-run double pulled 'Ewa within a run.

'Ewa 16, Pearl City 5: 'Ewa scored all 16 runs in the first inning in the first elimination game. Eight batters came to the plate before the first out was recorded, and there were 19 total batters in the inning. Allyn Respicio gave up one run in four innings to get the win.

Reach Kalani Takase at ktakase@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8040.

FIRST GAME

'EWA (16)00 00—16 11 0

PEARL CITY 010 04— 5 3 3

Allyn Respicio, Titus Ramos (5) and Edward Gascon. Keanu Sato, Kory Nakamura (1), Sato (1) and Isaac Shim, Chevas Numata (4). W—Respicio. L—Sato.

Leading hitters—Ewa: Robert Kahana 2-2, RBI; Respicio 2-4, 2 RBIs; Andrew Haina 2-4, 3-run homer, 5 RBIs; Troy Salas double; Titus Ramos RBI; Jerry Tanupo 3-run homer, 3 RBIs. PC: Chase Numata solo homer; Kainalu Chmolack 3-run homer, 3 RBIs.

SECOND GAME

'EWA 001 032 0—6 8 2

PEARL CITY 232 000 X—7 8 2

Edward Gascon, Jerry Tanupo (5) and Robert Kahana, Gascon (5). Chase Numata, Sumi Pruett (6) and Isaac Shim, Chevas Numata (3). W—Cha. Numata. L—Gascon.

Leading hitters—Ewa: Gascon 2-3, 2 runs, RBI; Kahana double, RBI. PC: Neal 2-3, solo homer, double, 2 RBIs, 2 runs; Numata double, 2 RBIs; Christian Perkins 2-4; Pruett 2-run homer, 3 RBIs.