With bottom-of-the-order hitters like Braeden Coloma, who needs a cleanup batter?
With bottom-of-the-order hitters like Braeden Coloma, who needs a cleanup batter?
Coloma hit a dramatic game-winning two-run single Sunday with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, lifting the Keaukaha Warriors to a 9-8 victory against the Waiakea Pirates to clinch the Hawaii AJA Memorial League championship at Wong Stadium.
Coloma, the No. 9 hitter, denied Onan Masaoka a complete game with his third hit as the Warriors swept the series 2-0.
‘What a game,” league administrator Royden Okunami said. “Both teams were determined.”
In a game that featured six lead changes, Ryder Oshiro’s third hit gave the Pirates a 8-7 lead in the top of the eighth.
Cortney Arruda earned the win with three innings of relief of Aaron Correa.
Kele Coloma (2 for 5) started the winning rally with a single, and the Arruda and Correa coaxed walks to lead the bases.
Masoaka allowed 13 hits, nine runs – eight earned – with six walks and nine strikeouts.
Dax Gushiken was 4 for 4 for the Pirates with a double and a run-scoring single, and Aaron Nishiura was 3 for 5 with a run batted in.
Braeden Coloma also tripled in the second, scoring on Shannon Camero’s hit, and he hit a two-run double in the sixth. Camero collected two hits, two RBIs a double and two runs scored, and Alton Penrose was 2 for 5 with an RBI.
Hawaii Junior Golf Day on tap
Hawaii Junior Golf Day is scheduled for Saturday at Hilo Municipal Golf Course and the Hualalai Resort Course.
The free event is open to beginner golfers ages 6-17, with registration starting at 8:30 a.m. and the event running from 9-11 a.m.
To sign up, visit hsjga.org.
The Hawaii Junior Golf Day is a sponsored by the Aloha Section PGA and the Hawaii State Junior Golf Association.
Local PGA professionals will clinics, and Lance Taketa and Brendan Moynahan are the lead professionals.
For more information, call 987-2971.
Top shots
Mark Hironaga was the overall champion, scoring 183, on Sunday during a Big Island Trap Club shoot at the county trap and skeet range in Hilo.
Singles was 100 targets, followed by a 50-target handicap and 50-target doubles.
Singles: Mark Hironaga, 06
Dylan Astrande, Scholastic Clay Target Program, 73
Handicap: larry Aker, 46
Doubles: Gina Ha’o
The next registered shoot is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at April 2. All shotguns, ammunition, and eye and ear protection must be supplied by individual participants.
For more information, call Tracy Lewis at 959-6699.