WAILUKU, Maui — Hilo Little League’s Juniors All-Star team went 2-2 at the state championship this past weekend, suffering two losses to Central Maui.
Hilo kicked off its run on Friday with a 12-0 win over Kaneohe. The six-inning affair saw HLL slowly build a lead before plating seven runs in the top sixth to leave Kaneohe in the dust.
Jay Rudy Arzaga led Hilo at the plate, going two-for-three with two RBIs. Logan Doran went one-for-two, hitting a triple to bat two runs in.
Conor Wallace spent three and two-thirds innings on the mound, striking out three and surrendering no runs on two hits and a walk. Kendrick Stevens and Keizen Ono split the remaining two and one-third innings and allowed three walks and no hits.
Hilo was dealt a narrow, 5-4 loss to Central Maui on Saturday. Going into the bottom third, HLL was up 3-1 — but Central Maui scored four runs in the bottom frame to establish its lead. Hilo plated one more run during the top fifth, and came within inches of winning the game during the top seventh, but the frame ended with three left on base.
Wallace led Hilo at bat, going two-for-three. Kysen Honda went one-for-three and batted in a run. Mound time was split between Arzaga, Doran and Stevens — who collectively surrendered five earned runs on four hits and seven walks while striking out three.
HLL bounced back Sunday — notching a seventh-inning, comeback 6-5 win over Pearl City. The lead bounced back and forth throughout most of the game, but Hilo trailed 5-3 at the start of the seventh inning.
Hilo’s leadoff grounded out, but two-spot Tycen Baruela doubled on a line drive to left field. Brock Ayudan singled, then Honda doubled to bat in Baruela and Ayudan — tying the score. Wallace then made a sacrifice fly to send Honda home for the go-ahead. Hilo quickly downed PCLL during the bottom frame to secure the victory.
Aydudan went three-for-two at the plate, and Honda went one-for-three with two RBI.
Wallace pitched the first five innings, surrendering two earned runs on four hits and two walks — striking out seven.
Ono pitched two-thirds of an inning, and Ayudan closed out the game.
Hilo’s run ended on Monday with its second loss to Central Maui, 8-4. CMLL maintained a small lead throughout the game, then plated three runs in the top sixth to extend its lead to four runs. Hilo was out-hit 10-3.