SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — The August to-do list for the Waipi'o Little League team:

Make sure everybody has their buzz haircuts in order?

Check.

Make sure baseball bats are tucked safely in bed with players?

Check.

Make sure to get on the airplane tomorrow from Southern California to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.?

Check and double check.

Pikai Winchester hit two home runs in last night's Little League Majors (ages 11-12) Western Region final to lead Waipi'o to a 4-3 victory over Henderson, Nev.

Waipi'o is the first team from Hawai'i to make the Little League World Series since West O'ahu won it all in 2005.

Tanner Tokunaga, who struggled at the beginning of his relief appearance, had five strikeouts while allowing five hits in 3 2/3 innings to get the win.

Nevada starter Michael Blasko, who struck out 15 in a win over Waipi'o in Tuesday's pool-play game, was the losing pitcher.

"The first time we played them prepared our team for him," said Waipi'o coach Timo Donahue, who got a short haircut along with the rest of the team after pool play ended Tuesday. "After hearing about how big he was and how fast he threw, it wasn't as big a deal facing him."

Winchester snapped a 3-3 tie in the fourth when he drilled his second home run over the left-field wall. He also homered to the opposite field in the first. Both home runs came on the first pitch.

"I was looking for a fastball both times," said Winchester, who saw only two pitches all night. "We started getting pumped up at around nine o'clock in the morning and we went to sleep with our baseball bats."

Waipi'o scored three runs in the bottom of the first. Christian Donahue led off with a single up the middle, advanced to second on a passed ball and moved to third on Khade Paris' ground out to shortstop.

Jedd Andrade struck out, but Donahue scored on a wild pitch by Blasko. Caleb Duhay walked before Winchester's first homer staked Waipi'o to a 3-0 lead.

Nevada tied it in the third, as Jesse Keiser led off with a walk and advanced to third when Paris threw two wild pitches. Paris struck out Josh McCollum, but was replaced by Tokunaga. Donahue said Paris complained about pain in his left elbow.

James Anderson drilled a 1-1 pitch over the center-field wall for a two-run homer, and Griffin Kelly followed with a homer to center field.

Waipi'o faces Shelton, Conn., the New England champion, in the World Series opener Friday in Williamsport, Pa. The game will be televised at noon Hawai'i time on ESPN2. Other teams in Hawai'i's pool are Tampa, Fla., and Rapid City, S.D.

This age group is considered the oldest in youth baseball. It was first developed in 1939, held in 1947 and first televised in 1953. Other leagues — such as Cal Ripken, Babe Ruth and P.O.N.Y. — have since held their own World Series.

Besides this Waipi'o team, two other Hawai'i teams already have advanced to a Little League World Series. Pearl City is in the Seniors (ages 15-16) World Series in Bangor, Maine, and Hilo is at the Juniors (ages 13-14) World Series in Taylor, Mich.

HENDERSON, NEV. 003 000—3 5 1

WAIPI'O 300 10X—4 4 0

Michael Blasko and Josh McCollum. Khade Paris, Tanner Tokunaga (3) and Iolana Akau. W — Tokunaga. L — Blasko.

Leading hitters—Nevada: James Anderson 2-run homer, Griffin Kelly solo homer. Waipi'o: Pikai Winchester 2-run homer, solo homer.