Big Island Baseball teams swept the 2013 Hawaii World Series held July 16-21 on Oahu.
Big Island Baseball teams swept the 2013 Hawaii World Series held July 16-21 on Oahu.
BIB was able to bring home titles in the three divisions it competed in: 14-under, 16-under & 18-under.
The baseball tournament was held at Central Oahu Regional Park and hosted teams from across the state as well as teams from Washington, Northern California and Southern California.
BIB’s 18-under team came out of pool play to defeat the Issaquah Indians of Washington 9-2 in the semifinals. The Big Islanders then defeated host West Oahu Blue 10-3 in the championship game.
Zane Gray went the seven-inning distance in the title game. He allowed three hits and three runs and earned the win. He also helped himself out at the plate, going 2 for 4 with an RBI.
The Big Islanders’ offense was led by Makoa Rosario, who was 3 for 4 with three runs scored and five RBIs — three coming on a three-run homer in the top of the third inning.
Ryan Torres-Torioka was 4 for 5 and scored two runs. Others pairing hits were Micah Kaaukai and Matthew Chun.
In the 16-under division, BIB defeated the host West Oahu Red 7-1 in the quarterfinals. But the Big Islanders got a tough test in the semifinals, going wo extra innings to beat H-Force of Oahu 8-7 in nine innings.
The title game was onesided as BIB defeated the Northern California Quakes 10-0. DJ Sekiya earned the victory, pitching four-plus innings of shutout baseball.
The offense was led by Evyn Yamaguchi and Jodd Carter, who also pocketed the win in the semis by pitching two innings of scoreless relief.
The Big Islanders’ 14-under team topped the Waipio Orioles 7-5 in a come from behind quarterfinal victory. The team then prevailed 4-0 against a solid San Diego Warriors squad in the semis. Tate Fernandez (4 innings) got the win and combined with Dawson Abiley (3 innings, save) for the shutout.
In the championship game against K-Town of Oahu, BIB pulled out a 7-3 win. Caden Perreira-Lau earned the victory, throwing a seven-inning complete game.
The offense was led by Vohn Yamaguchi and Logan Canda who both had extra basehits in the finale.
Notes: BIB’s Kaha Wong thanked team mom Cindy Toson for organizing the highly successful trip. …
Big Island Baseball is run by Kaha Wong and he is assisted by coaches Walter Silva, Mel Jardine and Shannon Ochi.
The goal of the organization is to provide exposure for baseball players islandwide. Wong said BIB has been successful in landing scholarships for a number of Big Isle athletes over the past few years through appearances in various showcases and tournaments, such as the Hawaii World Series.
During this recent tournament the organization was able to help players Jodd Carter (UH Manoa) and Micah Kaaukai(Hawaii Pacific U.) land scholarship offers. …
BIB will be attending showcases in Arizona (Sept. 13-16 & 20-23) & Oahu (Nov. 1-3) and hosting a college showcase in December for high school players. Anyone interested can contact coach Shannon Ochi at 217-2278 or 808bigislandbaseball@gmail.com for additional information.
Registration for the BIB Wooden Bat League will also be coming up soon. Contact Ochi at the above number for more info.