KAILUA-KONA — North Hawaii didn’t need a stellar pitching performance to advance to the District 4 Minors (8-10 year olds) baseball tournament on Saturday as they took advantage of several West Hawaii miscues on the way to a 16-2, four-inning victory at Old Airport Park.
However, they got one anyway from their starter, Josyah Napoleon Umeda, who allowed only one run over 2 2/3 innings, while striking out the side twice to help lead his team to the championship game, which is scheduled for Monday at 11 a.m.
Despite a solid performance, the young lefty still felt he had much to improve on.
“It was alright, but I think I could have done better,” Umeda said of his performance. “I wasn’t finishing my throws with my changeup and my cutter.”
While the changeup and cutter may have needed work — at least according to the young hurler — Umeda’s curveball was nearly unhittable.
“It was dominant … nasty, dirty,” said North Hawaii head coach Waylon Salazar. “I can’t take any credit for him. He just has a lot of natural talent.”
North Hawaii’s offense gave Umeda some breathing room early, jumping out to a four-run lead in the top of the first inning.
The runs all came with two outs, starting with Diesel Demello and Rory Crabbe reaching base. Issac Salvador Libron then lined a shot past the West Hawaii third baseman, allowing DeMello to score. A pair of West Hawaii errors led to the next three runners crossing the plate.
In the bottom of the inning, Umeda faced the minimum three batters, striking out all three.
North Hawaii then added another four runs in the top of the second. DeMello started the offense with a double. A single to right by Crabbe scored the runner. A bunt single by Libron put two runners on and an error led to both crossing the plate. Tiras Perez then singled to left to knock in the eighth run of the game.
Umeda struggled with his control in the second inning, walking two batters, but he still managed to strike out the side, picking up the last out after a West Hawaii batter reached on an error to load the bases.
A series of misplays led to a five-run third inning for North Hawaii.
West Hawaii managed to put a run on the board in the bottom of the inning before Umeda was pulled after reaching his 75-pitch limit. Kahiau Alcoran walked to get things started and Kahiau Rivera singled to right. Alcoran then scored on a wild pitch. Umeda was pulled with two outs, but not before picking up his seventh strikeout of the game, which came on his final pitch.
“I was pretty happy,” Umeda said. “I am just trying to help my team win this tournament.”
North Hawaii advances to the title game but they will have to wait to see who their opponent will be. West Hawaii and Hilo play today in an elimination game at 11 a.m.
North Hawaii beat Hilo 19-2 in the tournament’s opening game on Friday.
The winner of the Hilo, West Hawaii game will move on to face North Hawaii, but they will need two wins against the unbeaten squad to clinch the championship. North Hawaii will only need one victory to advance to the state tournament on Oahu.
With no game on Sunday, Salazar plans on having a light day with the kids.
“We will have a little fun, have lunch and talk to the kids about the championship game,” Salazar said. “We will also probably have a little hitting practice like always.”
