Central Maui coach Glenn Yonashiro got doused with water and ice by his players yesterday after his team won the Little League Majors (ages 11-12) State Tournament.

The victory over 'Aiea in the final, and having his clothes soaked with cold water no doubt felt good because it was a long, hot and hard-fought day at 'Aiea Annex field.

Central Maui bounced back from defeat earlier in the day and beat 'Aiea, 9-5, in a game featuring three umpire conferences.

"It's been a dream of ours since they were 9 years old," said Yonashiro, who has coached five of his players since they were 5 years old. "For this to become a reality, it's unbelievable. It's so overwhelming."

Central Maui (3-1) pounded out 11 hits — all singles — against 'Aiea (3-2) to win the double-elimination tournament final.

"It feels good," said Central Maui outfielder Travis Kanamu. "Everybody helped out today. Everybody got hits. It was a good victory for everybody."

Central Maui advances to the West Regional at San Bernardino, Calif., Aug. 7 to 16. The World Series is in Williamsport, Pa., Aug. 21 to 30.

Central Maui is the first team from the Valley Isle to win the Majors state title since a team from Kihei in 2004.

"It's a big opportunity to go to the Mainland and play for Hawai'i, and I hope we represent Hawai'i good," said Central Maui infielder Keanu Chang.

Earlier in the day, 'Aiea beat Central Maui, 7-4, to force the winner-take-all final.

In the second game, Central Maui scored four runs in the second and three in the third to take a 7-2 lead.

In the fourth, Central Maui's Joshua Nobriga hit a ball back through the middle and it hit base runner Chazz Ishikawa between second and third. Ishikawa was originally called out, but the six umpires got together and said the ball deflected off the 'Aiea pitcher's glove, which nullified the out. The end result was Central Maui had the bases loaded.

After a strikeout, Skyelor Ishikawa drew a two-out walk to score Chazz Ishikawa and make it 8-2.

In the fifth, Central Maui's Chang was at first with one out and Kanamu at the plate.

Kanamu hit a grounder to the right side, and Chang and the 'Aiea second baseman bumped into each other, but the second baseman fielded the ball and threw to second for the force.

After a 15-minute delay, the umpires decided the first baseman obstructed Chang's progress and awarded him second base, and Kanamu first.

After a strikeout, Noah Apolo hit a chopper down the third-base line and the home plate umpire emphatically ruled the ball fair. The 'Aiea third baseman fielded the ball on the line with his feet near the bag, but the umpire ruled he didn't touch the bag.

A rundown ensued and Chang, who started from second base, made it safely back to third.

After a conference, the umpires let the play stand.

Joshua Nobriga, the winning pitcher, followed with a two-out single to drive in Chang and make it 9-4.

"It was judgment calls," said 'Aiea coach George Yara. "The umpires are doing their best out there. It's unfortunate it didn't go our way."

In the sixth, 'Aiea had a run in and the bases loaded with one out, but reliever Rossi Abordo struck out the final two batters to end it.

Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8041.

FIRST FINAL

'AIEA 020 014—7 7 2

CENTRAL MAUI 001 300—4 3 3

Spencer Nakaoka, Kevin Hironaka (5) and Hunter Yara. Noah Apolo, Travis Kanamu (5), Skyelor Ishikawa (6), Keanu Chang (6) and Joshua Nobriga. W — Hironaka. L — Kanamu.

Leading hitters—'Aiea: Hironaka 2 RBIs; Yara two-run homer; Travis Tanaka 2-3, double, solo homer. Central Maui: Apolo double.

SECOND FINAL

'AIEA 020 021—5 8 3

CENTRAL MAUI 043 11X—9 11 0

Noah Sills, Jansen Kudaishi (2), Gavin Watabayashi (4), Tristan Soriano (5) and Hunter Yara. Joshua Nobriga, Rossi Abordo (5) and Keanu Chang. W — Nobriga. L — Sills.

Leading hitters—'Aiea: Jantzen Tamanaha 3-4, double; Yara 2-4, solo homer; Travis Tanaka 2-3, 2 doubles, 2 runs; Eola Liwai Manoa two-run homer. Central Maui: Chang 2 RBIs; Nobriga 3-4; 2 RBIs; Skyelor Ishikawa 2 RBIs.

CENTRAL MAUI ROSTER

Players: Rossi Abordo, Noah Apolo, Nicholas Asuncion, Keanu Chang, Matthew DeMichele, Chazz Ishikawa, Skyelor Ishikawa, Linden Kanamu, Travis Kanamu, Dustin Kokuban, Joshua Nobriga, Shadd Santos, Brandon Yonashiro. Coaches: Glenn Yonashiro, Alex Ishikawa, Sherman Santos.

P.O.N.Y.

MILILANI PONY 13 IMPROVES TO 2-0

Iolana Akau allowed two runs over 6 1/3 innings, and Kody Yamada batted 2 for 4 with two RBIs as Mililani beat Westhills, Calif., 5-2, yesterday in the P.O.N.Y. Pony 13 West Zone tournament at Fulleton, Calif.

Mililani improved to 2-0 and will next face Campbell, Calif., tomorrow.

WESTHILLS, CALIF. 000 100 1—2 6 1

MILILANI 003 020 X—5 7 0

Cohen, Ross (4), Post (6) and Weiss. Iolana Akau, J.C. Dejesus (7) and Jimmy Madrid. W— Akau. L — Cohen. S — Dejesus.

Leading hitters—Westhills: Ginsberg 2-4; Cohen 2-4; Vinre double. Mililani: Dejesus double; Tanner Tokunaga 2-4, 2 doubles; Kody Yamada 2-4, double, 2 RBIs.