Pennsylvania has its share of power problems, too.
The Hilo All-Stars’ game against Mexico on Monday night at the PONY League World Series was postponed when the lights went out at Lew Hays Pony Field.
“It was pretty sad,” coach Stacey Jarneski. “The boys were ready to go.”
The winners’ bracket contest was scheduled for 8:20 p.m. local time, but once officials determined power wouldn’t be restored until at least 9 p.m., the game was rescheduled for 4 a.m. Hawaii time Tuesday.
Earlier on Monday, there was a 4 1/2-hour rain delay before what was to be the first of four games at the 10-team, double-elimination tournament for ages 13-14. Three games were played, and six teams remain in contention.
Hilo arrived in Washington, Pa., on Thursday, but with two byes worked into the All-Stars’ schedule, they have played just once. The West Zone champions beat Chesterfield County, Va., 4-1 on Saturday behind ace Joey Jarneski’s third complete game on the mainland.
“It feels like we’ve been here a month already,” Stacey Jarneski said.
Before the postponement, he could have opted to start his son against Mexico and then use him again if Hilo reached Wednesday’s championship game.
Instead, Stacey Jarneski said Reese Mondina, the team’s No. 2 pitcher, would start against Mexico, which beat Washington, Pa., 7-1 on Sunday in its only game at the World Series.
At the West Zone tournament in Califronia, Mondina kept Hilo’s hopes alive by pitching a four-hitter in an elimination game.
PONY employs a 40-hour rule for pitchers, so the delay means Mexico’s No. 1 starter is eligible to pitch against Hilo. Jose Manzanarez struck out 12 in the victory against Washington.
“We’re both kind of in the dark about each other,” Jarneski said.
Win or lose, it will be a busy day for Hilo, which could play as many as three times Tuesday. With a victory against Mexico, the All-Stars would advance to a 2 p.m. Hawaii time contest and have a chance to reach the final.
A loss puts Hilo in a 9 a.m. elimination game against Chesterfield, which eliminated Washington, Pa., with a 5-2 victory Monday. On Sunday, Chesterfield ousted the Czech Republic.
On the other side of the bracket, Chinese Taipei improved to 2-0 on Monday, beating Bay County, Mich., 4-2.