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ASSOCIATED PRESS Ewa Beach's Michael Memea stole home as Maitland, Fla., catcher Kyle Hamner took the throw yesterday during the fifth inning at the Little League World Series. Memea went 2-for-3 with a home run and four RBIs in Ewa Beach's 10-0 victory. Hawaii advanced to Thursday's U.S. semifinal game (1:30 p.m., Hawaii time, ESPN2).

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Hawaii making
waves at Series

Ewa Beach advances to the
U.S. semifinals with a 10-0 win,
drawing praise from Gov. Lingle

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. » Michael Memea is making a name for himself at the Little League World Series, and even Gov. Linda Lingle is taking notice.

The catcher hit a three-run homer yesterday to fuel Ewa Beach's 10-0 victory over Maitland, Fla., to remain unbeaten in the 10-day national event. Memea went 2-for-3 and drove in four runs, including the homer, his second of the tournament. He managed his first shot in Hawaii's tournament-opening victory over Newtown, Pa., last Friday.

It's part of a quick-strike philosophy that has been a trademark of the Hawaii team.

"If we can jump on the opponent, we feel a little bit more comfortable because we got the lead. We can relax and focus," Ewa Beach manager Layton Aliviado said at a postgame news conference.

Gov. Lingle not only enjoys watching Ewa Beach's exciting brand of baseball, but is even more impressed with the team's low-key approach to its accomplishments.

"I'm so proud watching them," Lingle said. "They're doing it with humility. They're not denigrating their opponent. They're playing with sportsmanship.

"The (manager) is just outstanding. I have never met him (Aliviado), but (as he is) dealing with young people, you don't hear him screaming at the players. It's a very directive talk. They're very respectful and they are outstanding baserunners, and that takes great coaching."

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ASSOCIATED PRESS Terry Memea, left, and Amy and Andy Kam celebrated Ewa Beach's victory yesterday in Williamsport, Pa.

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Ewa Beach finished 3-0 in Pool A and plays again Thursday (1:30 p.m., Hawaii time, ESPN2) in the U.S. semifinals against the loser of today's matchup between Lafayette, La., and Rancho Buena Vista, Calif.

Clean-up hitter Sheyne Baniaga got Hawaii's offense in gear by cranking a two-run homer to left-center field in the first inning. Through three games, Ewa Beach has eight homers by five different players.

"They're a tough team, and it's going to take someone very special to beat them, as far as pitching," Maitland manager Sid Cash said. "They've got many dangerous hitters. Hopefully we get a chance to play them again, and we would have a feel of what you don't throw to their hitters."

Having already sewn up a spot in the semifinals, Maitland held its two top pitchers -- Dante Bichette Jr. and Skip Kovar -- off the mound for yesterday's game. Both hurlers already have a victory in the tournament.

Hawaii's home runs were a welcome relief not only to Aliviado, but also to right-handed starting pitcher Alaka'i Aglipay.

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ASSOCIATED PRESS Ewa Beach players celebrated with Sheyne Baniaga yesterday after his two-run home run in the first inning of yesterday's 10-0 win over Maitland, Fla., at the Little League World Series.

ASSOCIATED PRESS Maitland, Fla.'s Eddie Abramson reached over the left-field wall as he failed to catch a ball hit for a home run by Ewa Beach's Michael Memea during the third inning of yesterday's Little League World Series game in Williamsport, Pa.

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Aglipay went the full six innings, allowing four hits, including two to Bichette, the son of former major leaguer Dante Bichette, who serves as a coach on the team.

Aglipay walked three and struck out seven and got some great help from the defense, which turned three double plays.

"Three double plays is very unusual for a Little League game," Cash said.

Like Memea, outfielder Quentin Guevara had two hits for the West Oahu team. Guevara, Aglipay and Ty Tirpak also drove in runs for Ewa Beach.

If Ewa Beach wins on Thursday, the team will play in the U.S. championship game on Saturday (9:30 a.m., Hawaii time, ABC). The World Series championship game is Sunday (9:30 a.m., Hawaii time, ABC).

Aliviado said the team will practice, relax and scout the other teams today and tomorrow in preparation for Thursday's game. And the kids and coaches will be asking for help.

"We say our prayers every night," he said, "and we bless our bats for every game. We throw our bats in the middle and say a prayer. I don't know if that's the one (that makes it happen). Maybe the man upstairs is helping. Give praise to him up there, that's the way I see it."