North Hawaii got back to its home run hitting ways to get another shot at Hilo.
North Hawaii got back to its home run hitting ways to get another shot at Hilo.
Tookie Hook and Lopaka Akau homered Monday as North Hawaii held off West Side 10-7 to advance to the final twosome at the Little League District 4 tournament at Walter Victor Stadium.
North Hawaii must beat undefeated Hilo at noon Tuesday to force a winner-take-all at 3 p.m. in the ages 11-12 division.
North Hawaii’s win was much more competitive than its 22-3 victory Saturday against West Side in which it hit four home runs.
Hilo held North Hawaii in check Sunday, prevailing 18-0, but the Waimea-Kohala All-Star team bounced back Monday in the first inning, with hits by Logan Neves, Braeden Samura, Hook and Akau fueling a five-run rally.
Ioane Kaaekuahiwi joined Neves, Hook and Akau with multihit games.
Akau’s home run in the second made the score 8-4, and Hook went deep in the fourth to put his team ahead 9-6.
Zesdon Tolentino and Ethan Yamaguchi each finished with two hits for West Side. Batting leadoff, Tolentino scored three times.
Micah Reyes, Akau and Jake Bannister handled the pitching duties for North Hawaii.
The game was closest at either tournament, and it was the first contest in Majors not to end in a TKO.
In the Minors (ages 9-10) division, West Side spoiled Hilo Red’s bid to make the final day an all-Hilo affair, scoring nine times in the sixth inning for a 14-2 win.
Tate Garano and Kahiau Alcoran pitched for West Side.
It faces a similar tall order to that of North Hawaii, needing to beat Hilo Blue at 9 a.m. Tuesday to set up a decisive game for the title.
West Side has scored 44 runs in its three victories, but it was shut out by Hilo Blue 5-0 on Saturday.