The Hilo Mustang 9 All-Stars’ flight had landed and the baggage was collected Wednesday night, but it was clear some players’ feet still hadn’t touched the ground.
“They’re still flying high with excitement,” coach Justin Merritt said after a few youngsters were scolded for running around the airport.
After an extended yet triumphant trip to Oahu, all will likely be forgiven.
Coming off a long day Tuesday, Hilo made quick work of its business a day later in Waianae, Oahu, avenging a loss to Kauai with a 10-0 TKO wipeout to claim the state PONY League baseball tournament.
“They believed in themselves, they believed in their coaches and the parents backed them up,” Merritt said.
Because of inclement weather on Oahu, player parents held an even bigger role than usual for a youth baseball tournament.
Hilo’s first shot at title came Tuesday morning against Kauai, but the game was delayed, and so to were the 9-year-old’s championship hopes when Kauai rallied to win and force a winner-take-all Tuesday night, which is when most everyone was scheduled to fly back to Hilo.
Lightning and thunder postponed that game, and for a time Merritt wondered if a coin flip might decide which team advanced to the West Zone tournament in Walnut, Calif.
“As a team, everybody changed their flight (and car and hotel arrangements) and we stuck it out so the kids could play,” Merritt said.
And with that he handed the ball to Oakley Kailimai, who turned in four shutout innings in his first appearance on the mound in the four-team tournament.
“I just felt like today we had a rally going on,” Kailimai said. “I just tried to focus on the batter.”
In all, the team was on Oahu for seven days
Liam Villanueva was asked his favorite part of the trip?
That’s an easy one.
“The championship,” he said.
According to Kailimai and Villanueva, the team felt little in the way of nerves entering the winner-take-all.
“I felt more up today,” Villanueva said. “My friends picked me up.”
Hilo scored eight runs in the first inning, and it needed one to put the game away in the bottom of the fourth.
Salota Ofisa, who was intentionally walked four times Tuesday, drew another walk, and after a stolen base and a bunt, Koamalu Merritt drove in the final run.
“We were jumping around (in celebration),” Villanueva said.
Hours later, some were still jumping around at the airport.
“This is a special group of 9-year-olds,” Justin Merritt said. “They learned a lot. Their unselfishness to bunt instead of hitting for the better of the team was big.”
It’s been a special month for Hilo PONY in general. Hilo teams also won state titles in the 11s, 12-under and 13s divisions, so four teams from the organization will be heading to California in July to pursue World Series berths.
“Everybody plays hard and tries their best,” Kailimai said.
On the team are: Braden Oda, Tyson Cabango-Santiago, Oakley Kailimai, Knoxx Kailimai, Colton Leopoldino, Liam Villanueva; Kanoaokeaolani Kendrick, Kainui Keopuhiwa, Kendrick-Allen Stevens, Salota Ofisa, Rycen Garza, Koamalu Merritt. Justin Merritt is assisted by Kapena Keopuhiwa and Rodney Ofisa.
Editor’s note: This story has been modified to reflect that Wednesday’s game took place in Waianae, Oahu.
