It’s cliche, but it’s true.
Hilo’s Broncos All-Stars went down swinging.
Maui wasn’t to be denied, however, eliminating Hilo with a 16-8 victory Monday at the state PONY League baseball tournament on Oahu.
Daycen Aurelio hit his third home run of the ages 11-12 tournament, but Maui pounded 14 hits against five pitchers and put up crooked numbers in five consecutive innings in a battle of one-loss teams to reach Tuesday’s title game opposite host East Oahu.
Earlier in the day, East Oahu beat Hilo 10-0. Jaziah O’ili pitched three innings for Hilo and the Big Islanders finished with five hits.
This marks the first time since 2010 that Hilo won’t be represented in the state Bronco title game.
In the elimination game, Hilo’s pitchers were undone by walks, combining to issue 12 free passes.
The control problems nixed any ideas of a comeback, though Hilo rallied for four runs in the fifth, ignited by doubles from Micah Lopes and Edinn Kitagawa, to pull within 8-6.
Maui responded with four-spots in the fifth and sixth to put the game away.
O’ili started again and pitched two innings.
Trailing 5-1 with one out in the fourth, Aurelio hit an inside-the-park homer to center. Connor Gonzalez and Dillon Mizuno-Fukui each hit run-scoring singles for Hilo.
The Hilo Mustang All-Stars also lost twice Monday and were eliminated.
In the morning, Maui advanced to the title game with a 11-1 win against Hilo. In the afternoon, Kauai beat Hilo 15-1 in another 9-10 semifinal.
“Kids gave it their best shot and left it all out there on the field,” coach Brandon Chinen said.
