Bronson Rivera pitched a complete-game five-hitter in Game 1, and his teammates rallied from a three-run deficit in Game 2 as Kona PONY beat Hilo Black 17-6 and 13-9 to win the PONY Mustang Big Island Championship Saturday at Greenwell Park.
Kona earned a berth in the PONY Mustang state tournament that takes place from June 28 to July 2 at Hilo’s Walter Victor Complex. Hilo Mustang Blue, the state tournament host team, will join them.
“Right after the season, the kids are practicing every day and really commit to the team,” Kona PONY coach Jerry Hiraishi said. “Coming into the game I just told my players that we would have to play as a team because we try to get everyone in off the bench. Everyone needed to step up today, and they did.”
After falling behind 1-0 in the first inning of Game 2, the Hilo bats erupted for four runs in the second inning, forcing Kona to battle from behind.
Kona responded to Hilo’s early push in a big way. A bases-loaded triple from Izaiah Pilanca-Emmsley in the fourth inning put Kona ahead 10-5.
The strong-willed Hilo squad refused to go down without a fight. As the rain began to fall at Greenwell Park in the fifth inning, Hilo began to dent into the Kona lead. Feeling momentum on its side in the top of the sixth, Hilo began chanting “H-I-L-O,” and Charlie Barclay sent a two-run triple to right field to bring his team within 13-9.
However, with two outs already recorded in the final inning, it was too little too late for Hilo. Kona wrapped up the game on a groundout to shortstop.
Noah Furchner, who pitched four innings in relief of Kainoa Jones, got the win.
In addition to pitching a complete game, Rivera also went 2-for-2 with five runs scored in Game 1. Jones was 3-for-3, while James Kapela, Shaylann Grace, Kainoa Doctor and Pilanca-Emmsley added two hits apiece.
A four-run third inning put Kona comfortably in front at 9-5.
Samson Thomas had two hits for Hilo.
The other members of the Kona team include: Nanea Kaluau, Drew Basque, Jonavan Kahoalii, Dallas Louis, Benjamin Apilado and Mia Agustin.