Waipio flexed its power today, smacking four home runs, including two by Pikai Winchester, in whipping Mill Creek, Wash., 9-4, to advance to the United States championship game of the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.

Waipio will play Saturday against the winner of the Lake Charles, La., vs. Tampa, Fla., game that will be played Thursday. The game will be televised 9 a.m. live on KITV.

Should Waipio win on Saturday, it will play the international champion for the overall Little League World Series title for ages 11- to 12-years old.

Mill Creek jumped to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first, but Waipio powered its way back in front in the first inning.

Tanner Tokunaga hit a two-run homer to tie it. Iolana Akau, who has been out with a hairline fracture in his left elbow after being hit by a pitch in the first inning of the first game, followed with a two-run homer over center field.

Winchester homered in the third to make it 5-3. He hit a two-run homer in the fourth for a 9-4 lead.

Waipio is trying to become the second team from Hawai'i to win the oldest and most prestigious youth baseball tournament. West O'ahu won the title in 2005. Only 10 teams from Hawai'i have advanced to play in Williamsport. Only West O'ahu and Pearl City in 1988 advanced to the final.

This tournament was conceived in 1939, held its first tournament in 1947 and received national television coverage from 1953.