An almost entirely new cast of Hilo Little League All-Stars looked up to the task of defending their state Little League title.
Ryder Carenio pitched five strong innings and MeKenna Wakakuwa hit a home run Saturday in Honolulu as Hilo beat Maui 7-4 in Honolulu.
Wakakuwa, who finished with two hits and four RBIs, pitched the final inning after Carenio unleashed 85 pitches.
“(Ryder) pitched a great game,” coach Baba Lancaster said.
Hilo returns two players from the 2017 team that went to regionals, including Dylan Villanueva, who keyed Hilo with three hits. Ivor Brooks added two hits for Hilo, which faces Honolulu at 11 a.m. Sunday in the five-team tournament. Honolulu beat Waipio, Oahu, in extra-innings on a walk-off home run. The tournament began Friday with Waipio beating Kauai.