Waipio advanced to the championship round of the Little League 9-10 District 7 Tournament on Sunday after defeating Pearl City 13-4 at Whitmore Field in Wahiawa.
Waipio exploded in the bottom of the third inning scoring eight runs on five hits to take a commanding 13-4 lead which would hold up the final three innings for the victory. The win over Pearl City put the Waipio in the driver’s seat the rest of the tournament. Whoever emerges from the losers bracket will have the task of beating Waipio two times in a row for the tournament championship and a spot in the state tournament to be held on Kauai in late June.
Pearl City (1-1) plays tomorrow at 3:00pm (opponent TBA) with the winner to face Waipio (2-0) on Wednesday at 3:00pm.
Starting pitcher Cayden Okada earned the win for Waipio. Mitchell Waikiki worked the final two innings in relief.
Mark Moreno, Keaolani Takemura and Pinemua Epenesa took the mound for Pearl City.
Michael Yamaguchi hit a 3-run Home run in the top of the first inning to give Pearl City an early 3-0. Waipio responded with a five run bottom of the first inning to move in front 5-3. Pearl City added a run in the top of third inning to close within one run at 5-4 Waipio answered with eight runs in the bottom of the inning to put seal the win..
District 7 Tournament Teams:
Host: Waialua Little League
#1 Pearl City
#2 Waipahu
#3 MKH
#4 Ewa Beach
#5 Waipahu
#6 Waialua
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Waipio starting pitcher Cayden Okada earned the win for Waipio.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Michael Yamaguchi pictured powering a 3-run home run blast over the center field fence in the top of the
first inning that gave Pearl City an early 3-0.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Pearl City's Keaolani Takemura pictured in relief of starter Mark Moreno in the bottom of the first inning.