MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Waipahu, Hawaii, relief pitcher Christian Donahue celebrates Sunday after he recorded the final out over Mexico in the Little League World Series championship game. Hawaii won, 12-3.

It lost its first state tournament game. It was no-hit in its regional opener and Saturday it was down to its final strike in the U.S. final. And now Waipahu, Hawaii, is the world champion. Tanner Tokunaga hit two home runs and Hawaii pounded out 11 hits against heavily favored Matamoros, Mexico, as it romped to a 12-3 Little League World Series championship win Sunday at Lamade Stadium. Tokunaga clinched the win, fielding Jose Rodriguez’s grounder at shortstop and firing to first baseman Khade Paris for the final out. Almost immediately gloves flew in the air and players gathered at the mound, jumping around and hugging each other. The team that was so close to elimination so many times now was the world’s best team. “Honestly, at this point in time I don’t think they realize what they did today,” Hawaii manager Timo Donahue said. “I think once they step back on the island it will hit them. Even for me it seems surreal now.