KAILUA-KONA — North Hawaii wasted little time getting their bats going Friday against Ka‘u during the opener of the Little League Majors District 4 tournament at Old Kona Airport Park.
The North Hawaii squad notched four home runs to coast to a 12-1 victory.
Kaikoa Nobriga started the slugging for North Hawaii, nailing a home run from his No. 2 spot in the order to give his team an early 2-0 edge. Nobriga clocked two more homers in the contest and reached on an error.
Rory Crabbe was the other North Hawaii player to record a home run and Hurley Soong picked up the victory on the mound.
Ka‘u broke the shutout in the fifth inning, pushing Russell Santiago across the plate after he took advantage of a walk.
The 12-and-under baseball tournament continues Saturday, with North Hawaii taking on West Side Hawaii at 11 a.m. The loser will play on Sunday in an elimination match against Ka‘u.
The championship of the three-team tournament is slated for Monday.
At the state Minors (10-under) tournament on Oahu, Hilo lost its opener 11-0 to Maui and plays an elimination game Saturday.
Softball
The Little League softball Major Division District 4 title is also up for grabs this weekend in Kona, with Hilo and Gold Coast battling it out in a best-of-3 series for the title.
Gold Coast won the opener 6-2 on Friday and could clinch the championship Saturday at 2:30 p.m. with another victory. If Hilo wins that game, the winner-take-all contest would be held on Sunday.
The state tournament is next week at UHH.