By BILL O’REAR
By BILL O’REAR
Tribune-Herald sports editor
Pitcher Joshua Nobriga held the dangerous Hilo All-Stars to five singles in six strong innings to lead Maui to an 11-1 win over the Big Islanders Monday night in the State Little League Seniors Baseball Tournament on Oahu.
With the clutch victory coming out of the losers bracket, Maui (2-1) forced a sudden-death contest at 6 p.m. today against previously unbeaten Hilo (2-1) at Hans L’Orange Field in Waipahu. The winner of the four-team, double-elimination tournament for players ages 15-16 will clinch a berth in the West Regional, scheduled Aug. 3-11 in Ontario, Calif.
The West Regional champion will then advance to the Seniors World Series.
The hard-throwing Nobriga struck out seven during his productive stint on the mound and earned the win. Hilo starter Bronson Pulgados took the loss, going 2 1/3 innings. He was the first of four Big Island pitchers who tried to slow down Maui’s 10-hit attack.
Patrick Turner led Maui with two hits and drove in two runs. No one paired hits for Hilo.
Hilo also committed four errors in the game compared to Maui’s one.
“The boys will bounce back tomorrow (today),” Hilo assistant coach Clayton Ah Hee said. “They’ll get a good night’s rest and be ready to play for the championship.”
Hilo crushed Maui 12-2 in a six-inning TKO contest on Saturday. The Big Island squad opened the tournament with a 9-6 win over Ewa on Friday.
Members of the Hilo All-Stars include Tyler Higa-Gonsalves, Bronson Pulgados, Evan Yamaguchi, Austin Ah Hee, Chad Teshima, Chay Toson, Kobi Candaroma, Elijah Cruz, Kupono Decker, Andrew Filoteo, Alika Guillermo, Makoa Rosario, Kihei Serrao, Tyler Thornley, Ryan Torres-Torioka and Micah Kaaukai.
Zack Higa is the manager and he’s assisted by coach Clayton A Hee.
Hilo 12
Maui 2
Chad Teshima went 4 for 5 to lead the Big Island attack in Saturday’s win over Maui.
Chay Toson started and pitched four strong innings, allowing one hit and picked up the win. Teshima pitched the final two innings, also giving up just one hit.
State Little League Seniors
Hans L’Orange Field, Waipahu
Monday — Championship
Maui 040 102 4 — 11 10 1
Hilo 001 000 0 — 1 5 4??
• Note: Since Hilo was unbeaten going into the game, the teams will meet again at 6 p.m. today to decide the overall championship in the double-elimination tournament.
Saturday
Hilo 121 314 — 12
Maui 000 101 — 2