If the Hilo Bronco All-Stars were weary from the travel, it didn’t show.
Journey Leialoha blasted a home run onto the street Thursday and four pitchers combined on a one-hitter as Hilo beat up on the tournament host in a 19-2 victory to open the PONY Baseball West Zone Tournament in Whittier, Calif.
Hilo will face Torrance, Calif., at 4:30 p.m. Friday HST on Day 2 of the eight-team double-elimination for ages 11-12.
Torrance beat Orem, Utah, 10-6.
“They are a great team,” Hilo coach Gregg Hirata said of Torrance. “Our team is having fun and playing for each other.”
Whittier’s youngsters could attest to that.
Kedren Kinzie belted three hits and Devin Saltiban finished with two for Hilo.
Sal Martino started and struck out five, and he was followed on the mound by Hekili Robello (two strikeouts), Kinzie (three) and Landon Christie to wrap up the five-inning TKO.
Hilo has represented Hawaii at West Zone in four of the past five years, but none of those 11-12 teams have yet to break through and reach the World Series.
The Hilo-Torrance winner gains a stranglehold on the lower side of the bracket and would only have to win once Saturday to advance directly to Sunday’s championship game.
The World Series is Aug. 3-6 in Los Alamitos, Calif.
• On Saturday, a Hilo Colt (15-16) team enters West Zone in San Jose, Calif.
Coached by Hilo High skipper Tony De Sa, Hilo didn’t have to play in sectionals or a state tournament.
