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Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Editor

It was all cheers, applause, hugs and leis Sunday evening at Hilo International Airport when the Big Island’s newest world champions touched down.

Leading with a white and yellow banner proclaiming them the 2011 Senior League World Series baseball champions, the Hilo All Stars were welcomed home by a crowd of family, friends supporters and Mayor Billy Kenoi.

Hilo, U.S. West regional champions, capped a 15-game win streak Saturday by clobbering Tyler, Texas 11-1 in the title game in Bangor, Maine.

Hilo is the first team in series history to win the championship game by the 10-run mercy rule.

The team was led by outstanding pitching by Quintin Torres-Costa, who allowed three hits and one earned run over five innings, striking out six and walking none. However, it was Koa Matson’s three-run double to right center with two outs in the bottom of the fifth that finished of the Texas squad.

Hilo also became the first team to win the Senior League World Series in the 10-year history of the tournament, having defeated Chesterville, Va., in 2003.

Kenoi greeted the team and coach/manager Kaha Wong at the airport and declared it Hilo All Stars Senior League World Series Champions Day.