SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — West O'ahu marked the 46th anniversary of Hawai'i's statehood yesterday by earning a spot in the United States semifinals at the Little League World Series.

West O'ahu, of 'Ewa Beach, continued its power display with three home runs in a 7-3 win over Davenport, Iowa, in pool play at Volunteer Stadium in the Major Division World Series for 11- and 12-year-olds.

West O'ahu (2-0) and Maitland, Fla. (2-0), clinched the top two spots in Pool A and will meet at 9 a.m. (Hawai'i time) today at Lamade Stadium. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN. The winner will be Pool A champion and play the Pool B runner-up Thursday night. The loser will be runner-up and play the Pool B champion Wednesday night.

"This feels great. It's a lot of fun," said West O'ahu's Alaka'i Aglipay, who hit a two-run home run in the first inning, his second of the World Series.

Vonn Fe'ao also hit his second home run of the Series in the fourth inning, part of back-to-back homers with Quentin Guevara that gave West O'ahu a 6-0 lead.

Guevara also scored in the second inning on Chase Pfab's throwing error on Guevara's double to left-center field.

"I'd like to see how they do on a really elite pitcher," said Davenport coach Ed Grothus. "They're a nice team, but our pitcher didn't have it today."

Kyle Franklin took the loss, allowing seven hits and six runs in three innings.

"You've got a guy throwing the low 50s, low 60s and can't hit his spots," Grothus said. "My grandmother, God bless her soul, could hit it that far."

Kini Enos earned the win, striking out 10, allowing five hits and one earned run in 4 1/3 innings.

It wasn't as much fun in the top of the sixth inning, as Hawai'i lost its shutout and let Davenport (0-2) back into the game with three runs.

Enos, who relieved Aglipay in the second inning, began tiring when Spencer Mallonee hit a one-out home run to make it 7-1. A walk and a single followed, and Iowa scored again when catcher Michael Memea forced Chase Pfab into a rundown between third base and home before throwing the ball into left field.

Davenport added another run when Franklin scored on a wild pitch before West O'ahu manager Layton Aliviado pulled Enos for Vonn Fe'ao. Fe'ao struck out Iowa's Ryan Cartee to end the game.

Aglipay started at pitcher for an inning, but as was the case in West O'ahu's first game, he was replaced in the second because Aliviado wanted to keep Aglipay fresh for future games.

West O'ahu became the first Northwest Regional team to advance to the U.S. semifinals since the Little League World Series expanded to 16 teams in 2001. Hawai'i's best effort in eight previous trips to the Series was in 1988, when Pearl City lost in the world championship game.

Aliviado isn't looking that far ahead yet.

"We're playing our best ball of the year now," Aliviado said. "I just hope we can keep it up and not fall into a slump."

DAVENPORT, IOWA 000 003—3 5 3

WEST O'AHU, HAWAI'I 211 21X—7 8 3

Kyle Franklin, Eric Weiman (4), Chase Pfab (5) and Austin Smith. Alaka'i Aglipay, Kini Enos (2), Vonn Fe'ao (6) and Michael Memea. W—Enos. L—Franklin. Leading hitters—Davenport: Spencer Mallonee solo home run. West O'ahu: Aglipay 2-3, double, home run, 2 runs, 2 RBIs; Quentin Guevara 2-2, double, home run, 2 runs, 2 RBIs; Fe'ao home run.

NOTES

Ethan Javier did not play yesterday. Aliviado said he is day-to-day with a bruised hand after being hit by a pitch Friday against Newtown, Pa. "He couldn't squeeze his hand on the bat. He's taking his medicine and wants to get back," Aliviado said.