Hawaii, South Korea land in LLWS title tilt
Aukai Kea struck out 15 while throwing a complete game as Hawaii went ahead on a pinch-hit single by
John De la Cruz and defeated Georgia, 3-0, yesterday to advance to the Little League World Series championship in South Williamsport, Pa.
De la Cruz’ hit broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning. Hawaii added the game’s final two runs in the fifth, on an RBI triple from Bruce Boucher, followed by Jace Souza’s run-scoring single.
Eight days after striking out 10 Georgia batters in 61⁄3 shutout innings, Kea struck out the side in three of the first four innings yesterday, and a batter in all six.
Over two games at the double-elimination tournament, Georgia played 17 innings against Hawaii but was held scoreless. Much of that was due to Kea, who also hit a walkoff, two-run homer to end the teams’ 11-inning game last week.
Hawaii, the U.S. champion, will play South Korea today after the Asia-Pacific regional champs defeated Japan 2-1 earlier in the day. Choi Ji-hyung blasted his third home run of the LLWS, then struck out seven over 42⁄3 innings, giving South Korea a spot in the championship.
Hamilton masters rain to take pole
Lewis Hamilton again showed he’s the best driver in the rain by taking pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium. The Mercedes driver saved his best for the last lap to easily beat Sebastian Vettel’s leading time for Ferrari and secure a Formula One record-extending 78th pole. Vettel was second in another disappointment for Ferrari, which topped all three practice sessions. But like in previous races, the rain seemed to affect Vettel’s confidence and boost Hamilton’s . ...
Scott Dixon is on the pole for the IndyCar race at Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison, Ill., where qualifying was washed out and the series standings were used to determine the starting order. Alexander
Rossi has won the past two races to nip into Dixon’s lead.
NBA player arrested in L.A. traffic stop
Los Angeles police say NBA free agent Nick Young was arrested in Hollywood during a late-night stop for a routine traffic violation. According to a department spokesman, Young was arrested for delaying an investigation, a misdemeanor. Lopez says Young didn’t obey the officers, became upset and caused a delay. Young was booked early yesterday and later released. He’ll face a Sept. 19 court date. The 33-yearold Young played for the champion Golden State Warriors last season . . . .
Australian rider Rohan Dennis won the time trial on Stage One of the Spanish Vuelta, while Michal
Kwiatkowski of Sky grabbed an early advantage over other team leaders in Malaga, Spain . . . .
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus beat Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain 6-1, 6-4 to win the Connecticut Open in New Haven, Conn., the final WTA tuneup before next week’s U.S. Open . . . .
Idaho State athletic director Jeff Tingey has been placed on administrative leave by the school, but no reason was given. The school says President Kevin Satterlee felt it was in the best interest of the university to place Tingey on administrative leave.