SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. » Missing a chance to go to the Little League World Series is hard enough for any team reaching a regional final. The way the Nanakuli Little League team lost in Saturday’s West Regional was especially cruel.

A two-out rally by Nanakuli in the top of the sixth inning came to an abrupt end when Petaluma (the Northern California representative) made a successful appeal that Braedyn Chong missed third base while coming around with what appeared to be a final-inning run.

Instead of Teva Foster getting a chance to tie the game with Earl Keamo-Young at second base, Petaluma grabbed a 7-5 victory and a trip to Williamsport, Pa.

"I didn’t see it, so I can’t comment," said Nanakuli coach Danny Stephens, who is an account manager for Coastal Industrial Services. "It’s going to take some time for this hurt to heal for the players — and for the coaches."

With one out, Jaylen Gonzales got to first base when he was hit by a pitch. He was forced at second by Danson Oliva II, but Chong singled to left to move Oliva to second. Keamo-Young singled to right field and ended up at second with what appeared to be a two-run double. Oliva touched third on his way home, so that run counted. Chong’s run was posted on the scoreboard, but it wouldn’t stand up.

Like Stephens, Petaluma manager Eric Smith didn’t see a runner miss the base, but second baseman Porter Slate did and told Smith.

"He’s a good, heads-up player and we teach our kids to do that," said Smith. "Their runner (Chong) was hustling and just missed the base."

Petaluma was obviously happy with the result, but Smith said he did feel bad for Nanakuli, who lost an 11-9 decision in the opening game of the tournament.

"If we didn’t win it, I would have liked to see them (Nanakuli) win it," said Smith. "Our kids got along well with them, and I would say a lot of their kids and our kids became friends."

In addition to the emotional hurt, Stephens had to deal with the physical pain of his son, D.J. Stephens, who is the team’s shortstop and bats second. The younger Stephens had problems with his groin for the entire tournament, and the suffering increased as the nine-day tournament continued.

"We made the decision about 10 minutes before the game," said Danny Stephens, who tried soaking the leg in hot water and other treatments. "The movement just wasn’t there, and he was limping as we walked to the field."

It was remarkable that D.J. Stephens was able to play as well as he did in Friday’s semifinal victory over Tucson, Ariz. He made a defensive play in the sixth inning to earn Nanakuli a berth in Saturday’s final.

"We played tough, we bonded well, and we trusted each other," said Danny Stephens.