Hawaii Falls to Japan in Little League World Series

(CANVAS STAFF REPORTS) - Breaking a five-year winning streak by U.S. teams, Japan beat the Waipio Little League team from Waipahu, Hawaii, on Sunday to win the Little League World Series.

Japan beat Hawaii 4-1, giving Japan its first tournament win since 2003. While Hawaii lost, they remained heroes back home.

The 64th Little League World Series was again hosted by Williamsport, Pa. Games started on Aug. 20 and concluded on Sunday.

This year's championship game drew 29,812 fans and was broadcast on ESPN, according to Little League .

Waipio had advanced to the World Series after defeating Pearland, Texas, on Saturday to win the U.S. championship. Hawaii had scored early and often, MLB.com reported, with Noah Shackles going 2-for-2 with three runs as pitcher Ezra Heleski only allowed Pearland two hits. Shackles' hits included a two-run homer to center at the end of a four-run first inning.

The World Series game was a different story as the team only scored one run on four hits.

Hawaii was trying to capture its second world series win in three years after winning it all in 2008. The team lost its opening game 6-2 against Southeast Regional champion Columbus, Ga., but followed it up with five consecutive wins, according to BleacherReport.com . It became the first team in Little League World Series history to win four games in four straight days.

The Waipio All-Stars had won its second game against Georgia 7-4. Shackles, a pivotal player in the U.S. Championship game, struck out nine batters and held Georgia to two hits through the game's first five innings.

Hawaii would go on to win a third game against Georgia to proceed to the U.S. championship.

While the team lost, KITV-TV reported players will still return to a heroes' greeting. League President Stephen Masuhara hadn't changed his T-shirt since the team started winning and fans back home expressed their appreciation.

"Losing the first game meant they had to win every single game," said Jolyn Masuhara. "To get this far and to make it to the championship, that is the ultimate goal of the group. The kids should be ecstatic. I'm very proud of them."

"I don't think you can describe how much heart they have," former Waipio coach Timo Donahue told KITV. "From what they had to come from to get to this game, they have nothing to be ashamed of, and I think that they served us well here in Hawaii."

APP.com reported that Hawaii's supporters included Philadephia Phillies center fielder Shane "The Flyin' Hawaiian" Victorino. He called the team before its first-round game against Columbus.

"He called us and talked to us at the dorm ’ to wish us luck," second baseman Kahoea Akau said.

Victorino texted Waipio manager Brian Yoshii good luck and told him to tell his boys to "play fundamental baseball."

Waipio Players include: Kahoea Akau, Tyler Kushima, Dane Kaneshiro, Brysen Yoshii, Kaimana Bartolome, Shiloh Baniaga, Ezra Heleski, Matthew Campos, Cody Maltezo, Ty DeSa, Noah Shackles, Keolu Ramos, Justice Nakagawa, Coach Kiha Akau, Coach Jason Heleski and Manager Brian Yoshii.