If it wasn’t Phenom this, it was Phenom that.
If it wasn’t Phenom this, it was Phenom that.
Starting when it arrived in Southern California for the Firecracker Classic and all the way leading up to its game with Phenom Signature, that’s all Brian Silva’s Big Island Blue heard.
“From the moment we got off the plane, everyone was talking about Phenom and telling us how good they were,” Silva said.
Once the Big Islanders cleared that hurdle in the semifinals, they were practically home free.
The Big Island’s youth baseball success is not just limited to PONY League. The Blue went 5-1, avenging its only loss in the July 3 final to win the 14-and-under division at the USA Premier Baseball tournament in Irvine, Calif.
“The quality of play was good,” Silva said. “It was tough competition. A lot of talent.”
The Big Island team was put together independent of PONY, but many players – Eric Riveira, Ryan Ragual, Reese Mondina, Micah Bello, Bryce Furuli – were on the Hilo Pony team that won the World Series last August, and others were on a Hilo team that won a state Bronco title in 2013. Konawaena freshman Tevin Canda, who helped the Crush reach the Bronco final in 2013, was the only team member not from East Hawaii.
“The thing that most impresses me is they work hard,” Silva said. “That’s the biggest thing. The work ethic is impressive.”
Hilo PONY teams won five state titles this summer. If they hadn’t gone to California, many of Silva’s players would have been eligible to play on a ages 13-14 team that finished 1-2 on Maui.
“The thing I see with Hilo baseball right now is they all want to have the opportunity to go to college,” Silva said.
He called the trip all business.
Ragual hammered two home runs at the tournament, and Bello hit one as the Big Island outscored its competition 58-27. Briden Silva, tournament MVP, Mondina and Ragual were the team’s primary pitchers.
In the game it had been waiting for, the Big Island beat Phenom Signature of Southern California 7-4 before dispatching Northern California’s Brushback 15-8. Earlier, Brushback downed the Blue 7-5.
“We were eager to play Phenom and got up for them,” Silva said. “The first time we played (Brushback), we made a lot of errors, and that resulted in the loss. In the final, we came out riding the high from the Phenom victory.”
The tournament gives pro and college scouts a platform to access talent, and Silva credited Kaha Wong’s Big Island Baseball for not only nurturing players, but also for helping to make the trip happen. A U-17 Big Island team coached by Stacey Jarneski finished 2-2, while a U18 team led by Mark Ishii went 1-3.
“There were a lot of scouts around,” Silva said. “The biggest thing was the kids got an experience. To get that exposure was impressive.”
Also on the U14 team were Casey Yamauchi, Donald Saltiban, Stone Miyao, Logan Respicio, Blaise Cachola and Jacob Igawa. Silva was assisted by Lenn Miyao.
Little Leaguers
get turn at bat
While PONY has grabbed the spotlight recently, Hilo, North Hawaii and Ka’u will try to take the first step toward the youth baseball mecca – the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. – during a district tournament that starts Friday at Kamehameha Park in Kapaau.
Hilo and Ka’u open at 2 p.m. Friday in the double-elimination tournament, and North Hawaii awaits the winner at 11 a.m. Saturday.
The district champion will advance to states, which are July 25-28 in Waimea.