SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Waipi'o began the Western Regional Little League Tournament last week with a tough loss to Arizona, and ended the tourney the same way yesterday.

Max Harden hit a three-run home run to start a five-run fourth inning to propel Ahwatukee to an 8-3 semifinal victory over Waipi'o in the tournament for 11- and 12-year-olds.

Ahwatukee, from Phoenix, advances to tomorrow's final against Fresno (Calif.) River Park.

"We didn't catch the ball early, and they capitalized on our mistakes," Waipi'o manager Timo Donahue said. "I thought (Nainoa) Kaai pitched well early, but we didn't hit as well as I hoped."

Waipi'o was charged with two errors in the first inning, and probably should have been assessed a third when Ahwatukee scored three runs.

Kaai gave up a triple to Harden, Ahwatukee's leadoff hitter, on a ball which wasn't hit hard but sliced down in the right spot.

Two other batters reached base on errors, and all three runs scored as a result of errors. Donahue discounted any possible jitters on his team.

"Today our guys were the loosest they had been all tournament," Martinez said.

Waipi'o made it 3-1 in the first when Tyler Tokunaga singled sharply to center field, and advanced to third when the next two pitches went to the backstop. Marcus Yoshii singled Tokunaga home, but Ahwatukee pitcher David Hulls struck out two batters to get out of the jam.

"He (Hulls) made the big pitches when he needed to," Donohue said.

Waipi'o tied the game at 3-3 when Westin Fabro led off the fourth inning with a double. Tokunaga singled Fabro home and continued to third when the ball got by the centerfielder.

Yoshii drove home a run with an infield single, but Hulls retired the next two batters to avoid additional damage.

Arizona started the fourth-inning rally, when Connor Kelly singled and Ryan Modi was hit by a pitch.

Harden then hit a ball which just cleared the left-field fence.

Donahue said the coaches and the players enjoyed the experience in the tournament. The players liked meeting other players and trading pins. Donahue said it was a once in a lifetime experience.

"This was my first time here and it was totally enjoyable," said Donahue, who is a detective in the Honolulu Police Department. "We heard stories about it from other people, but you really have to experience it to appreciate what it means."

WAIPI'O 102 000—3 5 2

AHWATUKEE 300 50X—8 9 0

Nainoa Kaai (1-1), Reid Akau (4), Tyler Tokunaga (4) and Westin Fabro. David Hulls (1-1) and Ryan Modi.

Leading hitters: Waipi'o: Westin Fabro double. Ahwatukee: Max Harden, triple, home run.