PONY League: Hilo Pintos reach World Series final

They are becoming known as the “Cardiac Kids” and “The Walkoffs,” but the Hilo Pintos finally are starting to make life easier on their parents and coaches.

“Nothing too crazy the last two days to get everyone excited,” coach Shon Malani said.

Perhaps it was the calm before the storm. Hilo’s 7-and 8-year-olds will play for the championship at the PONY World Series in San Jose, Calif., winning its bracket Saturday with a 8-1 victory against a team from Northern California.

Hilo faces a Southern California squad at 2 p.m. HST on Sunday for the title. Traditionally, Malani said, a bracket that includes two teams from Southern California is considered to be the stronger of the two. Each is 3-0.

“They are bigger kids, but I like our chances,” Malani said. “I like my little team. We’re fully staffed and ready to roll.”

Hilo’s pitching staff should be well-rested since Malani was able to get two innings apiece from Ivor Brooks, Josiah Williams and Jaziah O‘ili.

And unlike Thursday – when it mustered only four hits and had to twice rally to beat Northern California in extra innings – Hilo’s bats came alive. Jason Mandaquit Jr. doubled among his three hits, giving him five in the last two games, and Brayden Malani and O‘ili each had a double and two hits. Braden Gomes also had two hits.

“We hit the ball hard and put the pressure on them,” Malani said.

That was also the recipe for victory Friday in a 13-3 TKO win against the host team. Joining Mandaquit with two hits were winning pitcher Clemson Julian and Linken Batalona.

The other seven teams from the tournament are all from the mainland.

“I like my little team,” Malani said. “This is it. This is big.”