West Side Hawaii coach Kallen Hiraishi admittedly didn’t see his team’s go-ahead rally coming.
At some point during Kupa’a Elarionoff’s lengthy and engaging at-bat Saturday against Hilo strikeout artist Kaimana Kuamoo, however, a big inning came into clearer focus.
Elarionoff fouled off pitch after pitch – one drive cleared the fence down the right-field line – until he served a single to right, setting West Side on its way to an 8-4 victory and a berth in Little League Majors District 4 championship game at Walter Victor Complex.
“I was just telling the kids to battle,” Hiraishi said. “That was the key hit right there. After that hit, we started to roll.”
Elarionoff’s one-out single in the fifth scored Keyshawn Lorenzo, who reached on a single, tying the game and chasing Kuamoo, who threw more than 80 pitches and struck out nine batters.
Elarionoff raced home on three wild pitches, Ethan Yamaguchi’s infield hit brought in a run and Lae’ula Starkey drilled an RBI single that got past the center fielder, allowing another run to score, as West Side batted around and scored five times.
“Oh, dang,” Elarionoff said of his at-bat. “It got a little frustrating. I just wanted to drive the ball.”
After winning his intense battle with Kuamoo, he and West Coast Hawaii earned a day off before playing for the championship Monday, and they will have to be beaten twice to be denied at trip to the state tournament for ages 10-12.
“I’m going to chill (Sunday),” Elarionoff said.
Hilo (0-1) and North Hawaii (0-1) play an elimination game at noon Sunday.
The victory was a relief for Hiraishi, who finally got the better of Hilo’s best this summer. His West Hawaii PONY team couldn’t quite get over the hump against Hilo “A,” going 0-3 against it in June.
“It’s a good feeling,” Hiraishi said. “I’m not going to lie.”
Elarionoff, who’s roughly 5 feet, 4 inches, started and worked into the third before turning the ball over the Mana Fujihara, who’s roughly a foot shorter. Fujihara, a left-hander who appears to put his entire body into his pitches, struck out six in 3-1/3 scoreless innings to get the win, scattering two hits.
“I felt confident with him,” Elarionoff said. “Different speeds can mix up the batter.”
Staked to an early lead, the left-handed Kuamoo avoided West Side’s bats by throwing pitches that darted around the plate, striking out two batters in each of the first four innings. He allowed five hits with three walks.
Xaige Lancaster’s single to center scored Keanu Tavares (2 for 4), who reached on a bunt, and a two-out error allowed Hilo to take a 3-1 lead after one inning. Kuamoo (2 for 3) added a two-out RBI single in the second.
Elarionoff (2 for 4) also had an eventful at-bat in the third when he led with off a double and came all the way around to score on an overthrow. On the mound, three of the four runs he gave up were unearned.
In the top of the first, James Kapela (2 for 4) and Lorenzo (3 for 4) led off the game with hits, and Kapela scored on a wild pitch.
“Hilo played tough, but we just put the ball in play,” Hiraishi said. “Their pitchers made me strategize more.”
Juniors
Kobe Kaaekuahiwi gained the victory on the mound and drove in two runs to lead West Side to a 14-1 TKO victory against North Hawaii in Game 1 of the Junior District 4 tournament.
Jamison Medeiros roped two doubles and drove in two runs for West Side, which can clinch a trip to the state tournament (ages 13-14) in Game 2 at 1 p.m. Sunday in what could be coach Jerry Hiraishi’s second district title in as many days.
Ryan Juan-Kealoha was the losing pitcher for North Hawaii. If it wins Game 2, a winner-take-all follows.
Softball
Gold Coast shut out Hilo 9-0, finishing off a two-game sweep in the Majors District 4 tournament and advancing to the West Regionals in San Bernardino, Calif., at the end of the month.
Tehani Epenesa was the winning pitcher, and she, Kierra Molina, Nanea Kalua’u, Johnna Lorenzo, Kanoe Piltz, Telsea Taketa, Mia Joaquin, Pilila’i Kaai, Ayezha Isabel and Anela Spencer each finished with at least one hit. Jerry Hiraishi also coaches Gold Coast.
Dioni Lincoln took the loss. Lincoln, Kambry Kelekoma and Chastytie Lopes had at least one hit apiece.
Gold Coast of West Hawaii is also making trips to the West Regionals in the Juniors (13-14) and Seniors (15-16) divisions. Both teams drew byes.
