Hilo Blue’s Little League District 4 tournament largely was devoid of the “little league” plays that can be characteristic for 9- and 10-year-olds playing baseball. ADVERTISING Hilo Blue’s Little League District 4 tournament largely was devoid of the “little league”
Hilo Blue’s Little League District 4 tournament largely was devoid of the “little league” plays that can be characteristic for 9- and 10-year-olds playing baseball.
But matters got a little hairy in the fourth inning Tuesday, when an infield hit for West Side was as effective as a game-tying two-run home run.
Faced with adversity for the first time, Hilo Blue came through with a big league response, bouncing right back to claim the championship with an 8-2 victory that capped an unbeaten run at Walter Victor Stadium.
“We just tried our best and said, ‘We got it,’” left fielder Kanu Tolentino said. “Keep on doing your best until we got it.”
Hilo Blue reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the fourth as singles by Shiloh Santos and Talus Sato and a pair of walks produced one run, setting the table for Kamaka Ili’s two-run double off the temporary fence in left and a 5-2 lead.
Ili finished with three hits for Hilo Blue, which advances to the Minors state tournament July 21-25 on Oahu.
I’m looking forward to seeing family,” said Tolentino, who gave Hilo Blue the lead with a two-run single in the first.
He helped sustain the advantage with a running catch to secure the third out with two runners aboard in the second.
“The best part of playing on this team is we’re friends,” he said.
Santos and Kiai Yasso each pitched three strong innings, combining on a three-hitter.
One of the hits didn’t travel very far but it turned out to be damaging. With one out and one on courtesy of a walk to Armenia Blanco, Stetson Cox reached on an infield hit and headed for second. When the throw went into left field, Cox came all the way around to score behind Blanco, tying the game.
Hilo Blue was unfazed.
“Well, this team, they have a lot of heart and they pick each other up,” coach Troy Fujii said. “If there is a mistake, they support each other. We don’t let it bring them down and we tell them to forget about it.”
Two hit batters fueled another Hilo Blue rally in the sixth, which Toren Segovia punctuated with a two-run single.
West Side starter Kainoa Lorenzo pitched well and struck out four, leaving after Ili’s big double with one out in the fourth. Kingston Lee made a nice catch for West Side, stabbing a liner off the bat of Keagan Pacheco in the second and starting an inning-ending double play.
Santos struck four, while Yasso fanned six.
“My two hardest throwers,” Fujii said.
The duo also combined with Kade Guillermo to pitch Hilo Blue past West Side 5-0 on Saturday. Hilo Blue allowed just five runs in its three victories.
A portion of the team has been playing for Fujii for four years with the Lincoln Wreckers.
“They have fun and they enjoy the game,” Fujii said of Hilo Blue. “A bunch of clowns on the team, but when it comes time to work hard, they do.”
Also on the island champions are Ty Fujii, Ryin Leopoldino, Aiden Mizuno-Fukui, Payten Alameda and Nathaniel Freeman. Fujii is assisted by Lee Guillermo and Chris Pacheco.
