The Hilo Pony All-Stars wasted little time getting on the board and were able to ride out a late scare from the host Maui squad for a 10-4 win at the state PONY League tournament on Maui.
The Hilo Pony All-Stars wasted little time getting on the board and were able to ride out a late scare from the host Maui squad for a 10-4 win at the state PONY League tournament on Maui.
Reese Mondina recorded the win on the mound for Hilo on Saturday.
“Reece started us strong and that let us get our offense going,” said Hilo head coach Stacey Jarneski.
In the first inning, Hilo’s Eric Riviera sent a three-run homer over the wall. Riviera’s slam was the highlight of a five-run opening stanza for the Big Island squad.
Hilo tacked on three more runs in the second inning to increase the early margin.
The offensive production slowed down after the early rally, but the solid defense sealed the victory.
“We kind of tapered off after those early runs,” Jarneski said. “They gave us a little scare late, but our defense got us the win.”
With a 2-0 record in the tournament, Hilo has earned a bye until Monday. The team will play the winner of Makakilo-Kapolei (MKYBL) and Maui Area.
Jarneski assured the bye will not keep his squad from spending too much time away from the diamond.
“We already have locked down a field for practice,” said Jarneski. “We have to make sure the kids get their reps in.”
PONY Baseball
Friday
Pinto
Hilo Pinto White 16, Aiea 6
COYBL 7, Hilo Pinto Red 3
Hilo Pinto White 6, Kona 5
Pony 13s
COYBL 7, Hilo 0
Pony 13-14
MKYBL 11, Kona 1
Hilo 5, West Oahu 1
Saturday
Pinto
Hilo White 12, West Oahu 11
Kona 17, Hilo Red 11 (Hilo red eliminated)
Hilo White vs. COYBL, 4:30 p.m.
Mustang
Windward A 7, Hilo 5
Pony
Kona vs. West Oahu, 4 p.m.
Hilo vs. Maui Host, 1 p.m.
Sunday
Pinto
Kona vs. Windward, 8 a.m.
Mustang
Hilo vs. winner Kauai/Maui Area
Pony 13s
Hilo vs. loser COYBL/Maui Host, 4 p.m.
Pony
TBD