ABERDEEN, Md. — Hilo broke open a tie game with a six-run third inning en route to a 10-3 victory over Newtown, Conn., yesterday in the Cal Ripken World Series for 12-year-olds.

Coming off a 2-0 victory Sunday, Hilo manager Kaha Wong's concerns about jet lag affecting his players were allayed when they started launching shots against Newtown.

The game was tied 3-3 in the third when Hilo sent 10 batters to the plate, combining three hits and five Newtown errors for six runs.

"You put the ball into play and something is going to happen," Wong said about his team's big inning.

Wong said he thinks his team is finally getting adjusted to the time change.

"Our strength right now is hitting," Wong said. "Once you open the gates to hitting then we will be OK."

The Connecticut team opened the game with a run in the top of the first, but Hilo answered with three runs in the bottom of the first.

Chayce Kaaua got things started with a lead-off double and Kean Wong followed with a bunt single. Slugger Ekolu Martins drove in Kaaua.

Starting pitcher Ridge Ho'opi'i-Haslam sent Wong home on a fielder's choice and Jordan Jinbo doubled to score Ho'opi'i-Haslam.

Newtown tied it at 3 in the top of the second, but Hilo broke it open an inning later.

Ryan Malakaua drove in two and scored a run. Martins hit a solo home run.

Kawika Pruett, Ho'opi'i-Haslam, Jinbo and Kian Kurokawa each scored a run in the third.

The game was in hand as Martins and Kean Wong allowed only three hits and a walk in the final three innings.

Hilo ended the scoring in the fifth as Pruett drove in Kean Wong.

Martins was the winning pitcher and the Ron Tellefsen Player of the Game for Hilo (2-0), which plays St. Mary's County, Md., today at noon Hawai'i time.