On Oahu, Hilo’s “bats went to sleep,” coach Troy Fujii said, and it was much the same story for Gold Coast in Southern California. ADVERTISING On Oahu, Hilo’s “bats went to sleep,” coach Troy Fujii said, and it was much
On Oahu, Hilo’s “bats went to sleep,” coach Troy Fujii said, and it was much the same story for Gold Coast in Southern California.
Both Little League teams saw their tournament runs come to an end Tuesday.
The Hilo Blue had their three-game winning snapped at the state Minors (ages 9-10) baseball tournament in Kailua, Oahu, losing to 14-3 to Maui, which repeated as the Hawaii champion.
“Maui was a strong team and they deserved to win,” Fujii said. “They were the better team (today).”
It was Maui’s third double-digit victory at the tournament. Its other win came Friday in an 8-5 victory against Hilo, which responded with wins against Waipio (Oahu), Kauai and Honolulu to give itself a chance to play for a title. Maui would have had to lose twice Tuesday to be denied.
“After the first loss, I was proud of the way they were able to battle back to reach the final (day),” Fujii said.
Shiloh Santos finished with a double and Keai Yasso took the loss on the mound.
The Gold Coast Majors (ages 9-12) fell 6-2 to Oregon to bow out in the softball quarterfinals of the West Regional in San Bernardino, California.
Oregon’s Sauren Garton scattered seven hits and didn’t allow an earned run in a complete game.
Starting pitcher Sunny Akau was cruising along with a one-hitter for Gold Coast – which draws player from Honokaa, Waimea, Kohala, Waikoloa and Kailua-Kona – until Oregon erupted in the fifth, scoring all six of its runs on the strength of six hits.
Gold Coast scored both of its runs in the top of the third as Kyana Brucelas, Kamalani Doctor, Anela Spencer and Kanoe Piltz each singled. Spencer was 2 for 3.
Who’s left?
There are still four Big Island teams with tournaments ahead:
• PONY League Baseball: Hilo Bronco (11-12) All-Stars start West Zone on Thursday in Whittier, Calif.
• RBI: The Nobu Yamauchi Seniors (ages 18 and under) baseball team enters the World Series July 31-Aug. 5 in Cincinnati, then the Nobu Yamauchi Senior softballers’ World Series runs Aug. 6-11.
• Little League Baseball: The Hilo All-Stars head to the West Regional in San Bernardino from Aug. 6-12.
