The Hilo 12s All-Stars dropped their opening game at the state Little League tournament on Friday, 4-3 to Honolulu in Kihei, Maui.
Logan Doran produced two of Hilo’s three hits, finishing with a double, a triple, an RBI and a run scored. Hilo fell behind 4-1 before scoring two runs in the fifth but wasn’t able to plate the tying run.
“Back and forth battle,” coach Earl Moses said.
Hilo will play Pearl City, Oahu, on Saturday in an elimination game. Earlier on Friday, Kauai edged Pearl City 2-1.
Connor Wallace pitched three innings for Hilo, allowing two runs and two hits with a walk and strikeout. Blayze Leslie worked the final two innings.
Honolulu’s Eli Iopa struck out seven in four innings of one-hit ball and came through with two hits at the plate.
On Saturday, Honolulu will play Maui in the five-team, double-elimination tournament.