In theory, this year’s edition of the Hilo Little League All-Stars will have to rely more on smallball and strategy than its powerful, history-seeking predecessor.
Baba Lancaster’s revamped squad returns but two players from the 2017 team that flirted with making a trip to the World Series.
One of those veterans is Legend Lancaster. On Friday, as if on cue, Lancaster hit a grand slam that would have made his former teammates proud.
And the good thing about a team full of fresh faces is that it allows new heroes to emerge.
In this case, it was Ryder Carenio, who sailed through four hitless innings as Hilo was off and running at the District 4 Majors tournament at Walter Victor complex, beating error-prone West Side 11-0.
“Last year, I was working hard to be in this position,” Legend Lancaster said. “This year, I’ve got to be the leader of the team.”
Lancaster was around for the ride last summer as an all-star team from Hilo captured the ages 11-12 state title for the first time in 30 years, then won two games at regionals in California.
Xaige Lancaster played a bigger role on that team, and like any good older brother, he let Legend know about it.
“He kept ragging him,” Baba Lancaster said with a laugh.
After he grounded out and reached on an error in his first two at-bats, Legend’s time officially arrived when he hammered a pitch over the fence in center with the bases loaded in the third inning.
What will Legend tell his brother now?
I’ll ask him “if he can give me $20,” he said.
The 12-year-old Carenio also turned in a money performance, striking out seven in the TKO and issuing just two walks, both to Trez Uemoto, who took the loss on the mound.
“He’s throws the ball real hard,” Baba Lancaster said. “I told him I was going to use him the first game no matter what. Getting that first win is big.
“I’ve got 12 other pitchers on my squad.”
Hilo faces North Hawaii at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, while West Side takes on Ka’u in an elimination game at 3:30 p.m.
“Play hard or your summer is over,” West Side coach Robert Nakagawa said.
He’s coached Carenio before, so Nakagawa knew what his batters were up against on Day 1 of the island championships. However, West Side also was its worst enemy with five errors, leading to every run being unearned.
“Ryder mixed up his pitches,” Nakagawa said. “His off-speed stuff was close when he needed it.
“He’s extremely tough, especially at this distance.”
Uemoto allowed only a single to Shane Sale-Silva in the first, but West Side turned sloppy in the field in the second and third as Hilo batted around against three pitchers.
Ivor Brooks hit a two-run single and Sale-Silva finished 3 for 3.
Hilo hopes it’s the start of another special run.
“This is a completely new team,” Legend Lancaster said, “but the goal is to get back to California.”
• North Hawaii 10, Ka’u 0: Kinohi Lindsey was the winning pitcher and picked up two extra-base hits, including a home run that ended the game via TKO as North Hawaii poured it on late.
Manoa Reyes-Dawson pitched strong through three innings for Ka’u.