It’s one game at a time for the Hilo Broncos, but if all goes to plan they will be playing two.
It’s one game at a time for the Hilo Broncos, but if all goes to plan they will be playing two.
Hilo beat Windward 11-6 on Monday in Manoa, Oahu, to take its customary spot in the state PONY championship game.
Kedren Kinzie and Jacob Gomes both homered as Hilo reached the final day of the ages 11-12 tournament for the seventh consecutive summer.
On Tuesday at 9 a.m., Hilo will have to beat undefeated Kauai to force a winner-take-all.
Hilo’s only blemish in the tournament came Saturday in a 11-0 loss to Kauai in which it was two-hit by a pitcher from the Garden Isle.
Hilo coach Gregg Hirata expects his team to see that hard thrower again.
“Hopefully, we can prepare appropriately,” he said.
Hilo had an ample number of hits in the win against Windward. Bubu Kawelu collected three hits and Devin Saltiban, Journey Leialoha, Jarrett Tulang and Gomes each had two.
Kinzie, Dylan Hanson and Gomes combined on a four-hitter, striking out six.
Three other Hilo teams on Oahu were eliminated in the semifinals, including the Hilo Mustangs, who had the potential tying run thrown at home plate in the fifth inning of an 8-7 loss to West Oahu.
The 10-and-under team was looking to win a state tournament for the third consecutive season, but it was derailed by its second one-run loss to West Oahu the past three days in Hawaii Kai.
“We fell behind 5-0 in the first inning, fought back, but just couldn’t muster it,” coach Shon Malani said. “The run is over, but that’s baseball.”
Elijah Okano powered Hilo with two home runs, finishing with three hits, Quinn Waiki homered with two hits and Brayden Malani also collected two hits.
Hilo Pony Royal Blue also cracked three home runs in an 18-8 loss to East Oahu at Central Oahu Regional Park in the ages 13-14 tournament.
“We had some bombs,” coach Kekoa Martin said, “but we still couldn’t win because of untimely errors.”
Kuha’o Waipa and Carson Crivello hit two-run homers, and Braxton Cagampang added a solo home run.
The Hilo Mustang 9s fell 11-0 to Waianae, finishing 2-2 in Hawaii Kai.
“Great run for this young team,” coach Cliff Silva said.