Hawaii Holds Off Toms River In LLWS

(AP) — Shiloh Baniaga homered and allowed three hits Sunday to lead Waipahu, Hawaii, over Toms River, N.J., 3-1 at the Little League World Series.

Ty DeSa added a solo homer in the fifth as New Jersey was eliminated from contention.

One of the shortest players on the field at 5-foot-2, the 12-year-old Baniaga mixed his fastball and off-speed pitches to keep New Jersey off balance. He struck an imposing pose on the mound with the straight brim of his cap pulled low over his forehead.

Baniaga also homered in the top of the first for Hawaii's first run. His only mistake was a leadoff homer to right-center by Kevin Blum in the bottom of the inning.

Baniaga's brother, Sheyne, played on the Hawaii team that won the 2005 Little League title.