KAILUA-KONA — Lil Soljahs looked like they had the Bronco division of the Kona PONY Memorial Day Baseball Tournament locked up on Monday at Old Airport Park. With two innings to play, the Big Island squad from Kona owned a 6-1 lead over visiting KC from Oahu.
However, KC cut the deficit down two two runs in the top of the sixth inning and scored three in the seventh to take a 7-6 advantage and eventually the tournament title.
“We kept fighting for it and I knew the boys had that deep desire to want to do good,” KC head coach Quinn DeSilva said. “The tournament was awesome and we really enjoyed it. They really took care of us, the fields were nice and the umpires did a good job. This is an Aloha place right here.”
Facing a four run deficit entering the top of the sixth inning, the team from Oahu was able to put a couple of hits together and take advantage of a few miscues by the Lil Soljahs to collect three runs.
Anthony Miyataki knocked in the first run of the sixth inning with a double and then advance to third. On a bunt attempt, he broke down the line, but the ball was missed. The Kona catcher elected to throw down to third instead of run Miyataki back to the bag, which gave the runner the opportunity to score.
Jase Euamar also reached base in the inning, working his way over to third, and scoring on a dropped strike three when the catcher threw down to first for the out.
Ty Yukumoto led off the top of the seventh and was hit by a pitch. Zarin Poopaa hit a single into the gap between center and right, and both runners moved up a base on an outfield error. Chyler DeSilva walked to load the bases.
After a fielder’s choice to home on a ground ball for the first out of the inning, Zen Staszkow singled to left, scoring Yukumoto, but Poopaa was caught at second trying to scramble back to the bag.
Facing their final out, Euamar game through in the clutch with a two-RBI double to left, giving KC a 7-6 advantage.
In the bottom of the seventh, Lil Soljahs tried to rally with two outs when Kupaa Elarionoff hit a ground rule double into the right-center gap. The next batter, Tootie Hook — who had two home runs earlier in the game, and had knocked in five of the team’s six runs — was intentionally walked, but a strikeout ended the game.
“The kids battled on both sides and I give a lot of respect to KC,” Lil Soljahs coach Kallen Hiraishi said. “They are one of the top teams in Oahu and we just wanted to hang with them. The kids showed heart and desire.”
Hook led the Kona team offensively, going 2-for-2 with his two deep shots and two walks. The first shot surprised everyone, including his coach. Hook looked complete confused on the first two pitches, swinging awkwardly on the first strike and taking the second strike. He sent the next pitch sailing over the left field fence for a 3-run home run and an early lead.
“I was shocked because the first two pitches he was clueless, but I always tell him it only takes one pitch,” Hiraishi said. “He battled and came up in the clutch, but unfortunately someone had to lose.”
Hilo’s Andrews Braves dominated the Mustang division, winning the championship game over the Kahului Giants 16-1.