Hey, guys, save some for Oahu.
Up and down the lineup, hitting was contagious Sunday for the Hilo Bronco All-Stars.
In stating their case, they knocked it out of the park, swatting 26 hits, five for home runs, to punch their ticket to the state tournament with a 24-3 victory against North Hawaii to clinch their PONY Baseball sectional championship series for ages 11-12 at Waimea Baseball Field.
“At this age, they get emotional, and when one player gets a hit, they all want to get a big hit,” coach Gregg Hirata said.
“We try to keep their emotions high.”
North Hawaii homered five times Saturday in earning a split in the first two games, including a 16-3 win, but Hilo wouldn’t be denied in the decisive Game 3.
“(North) Hawaii is a very good team and a class act,” Hirata said. “We just told (our team) if you want to go to states, you have to win.
“Bats woke up finally.”
And then some.
Facing different pitchers than they saw Saturday, Mason Hirata, the coach’s son, led the hit parade with five, including two homers, and Jacob Gomes went deep for the second day in a row, this one a grand slam. Dylan Hansen and Kedren Kinzie also hit home runs and Kaohu Kawelu and Elijah Igawa finished with three hits apiece.
Gregg Hirata said 13 of his 15 players collected a hit.
Dayson Akimseu joined Kinzie and Gomes with two each, while pitchers Salvatore Martino and Hansen combined on a five-hitter.
The state tournament is June 23-27 in Manoa, Oahu, and Hilo, which draws players from Shon Malani’s club team, isn’t likely to be intimidated.
Many of those Hui Aumakua players, as well of those on North Hawaii, are used to the big stage, having advanced to tournaments on the mainland on younger age-group teams.
“They never give up,” Hirata said. “At a tournament on Maui, they fell behind 11-0 in the first inning, and I think we ended up losing 13-12. They never give up.”
At the Bronco level, Hilo’s represenative has reached the state title game the past six years, winning four titles along the way. This year’s all-stars have a personaltity all their own.
“They are loose. They are clowns,” Hirata said. “They are always clowning around.”
Except when they have a bat in their hands at the plate.