Baba Lancaster didn’t get his Father’s Day wish at the state Little League tournament for ages 9-10 on Sunday.
Baba Lancaster didn’t get his Father’s Day wish at the state Little League tournament for ages 9-10 on Sunday.
Pearl City knocked out the Hilo All-Stars 16-3 at Central Oahu Regional Park, stopping the run from the little Big Island miracle workers.
It was only a day ago that Hilo rallied past Aiea 4-3 on Jacob Gomes’ two-out walk-off double, but Pearl City had the Orchid Isle’s number for the Minors tourney.
On Friday, Hilo left 10 runners on base in a 10-1 loss to Pearl City, which advances to Monday’s championship against undefeated Kihei, Maui.
The Hilo coach noted there’s really no good defense to seeing-eye singles. Pearl City had a lot on Father’s Day, and then the RBI hitting became contagious.
“Nothing went our way,” Lancaster said. “They hit a lot of bleeders and it dropped in, over our head at first base and third base.
“The kids were disappointed, but I told them that I was proud of them. Now the fun begins. We’ll go to the go-kart track in Kapolei, and the water park (on Monday). We’ve got to rebuild next year.”
Hilo loses seven players to age eligibility, including Gomes, Xaige Lancaster, Wailele Kane-Yates, Kahiapo Silva, Ian Kalawe, Rusty Kuamoo and Akea Cariaga.
The Hilo coach pointed to returning Dylan Villanueva, who plays outfield, third and pitches, as the most improved player.
“It’s the first year he came to play for me and he’s the most improved,” Lancaster said. “He’s gotten a lot better in his hitting and fielding and he’s more confident.
“He had to wait his turn, but when he came in he had his hits and did pretty good overall. He should be one of my leaders next year.”
As a Father’s Day reminder, Lancaster can always look to his son Xaige’s uniform number. Xaige wears No. 69 to remind his dad how old he is. Baba Lancaster was born in 1969.
Xaige Lancaster, Kane-Yates and Gomes provided the most production at the plate for Hilo.
Kane-Yates led the team with 19 homers during the season while Xaige Lancaster had 11 homers and Gomes crushed 10 homers.
“Wailele had a great overall performance. He’s very skilled for his age. I think he’s the best 10-year-old on the Big Island,” Lancaster said. “Xaige has good leadership and can play pretty much anywhere.
“Jacob is pretty big for his age. He crushes the ball and had 10 homers. We had three kids in double-digits. He throws very hard and has a nice curveball.”
Those three will move to the world famous Majors (ages 11-12) division next year. The Little League World Series is televised on ABC every August, and held in South Williamsport, Pa.
The last Hawaii team to capture the World Series was Waipahu in 2008; Ewa Beach, which had former UH-Manoa center fielder Kaeo Aliviado, won it in 2005.
Baba Lancaster was an assistant coach on the Hilo All-Stars ballclub that finished runner-up in the Little League Juniors (ages 13-14) World Series in 2008.
“That’s what I try to instill to the kids that it’s priceless to go to the World Series,” he said. “It’s a dream come true when all your hard work pays off and there’s a reward at the end.”
Dreams of reaching the Little League World Series for Hilo’s seven departing all-stars can wait for a day, the Wet ‘n’ Wild Hawaii water park in Kapolei is up to bat next.