Hawaii Kai comes back to win regional title in Fallon

Hawaii Kai defeated its summer rival, Oahu Elite, to win the Pacific Southwest Babe Ruth 13U Regional Tournament on Saturday at the Edward Arciniega Athletic Complex.
Photo by Thomas Ranson.

By Thomas Ranson

Wednesday, August 4, 2021

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A pair of Hawaiian teams battled on the mainland for the right to advance to this month’s Babe Ruth World Series.

And the summer rivalry didn’t disappoint as Hawaii Kai fought back in the final inning of the “if” game of the Pacific Southwest Babe Ruth 13U Regional Tournament to avenge its state tournament loss to Oahu Elite.

Oahu Elite won Saturday’s first championship game, 2-1, to force the second game when Hawaii Kai broke a 3-3 tie in the seventh to win 4-3 at Edward Arciniega Athletic Complex.

With two outs in the last inning, Alika Ahu singled for Hawaii Kai, bringing up Hudson Nishina, the team’s extra hitter. Nishina drove a full-count pitch deep into the outfield, scoring Ahu, to give his team its first lead of either game. With Nishina on second, Dexter Kauahi flew out to right to end the half inning.

Ahu, the starter, pitched into the seventh but was pulled after reaching 95 pitches and recording the first two outs. Oahu Elite, though, found rhythm with Colton Gallano on the mound, reaching base via error with the next two batters. With runners on second and third and two outs, Gallano induced Reyson Benigno into a groundout to end the game.

Hawaii Kai’s Jesse Shinagawa connects with the pitch during Saturday’s championship in Fallon. Photo: Thomas Ranson

Oahu Elite’s Baren Banis opened the scoring in the second inning when he launched a solo home run over the right-field fence. Ryce Aoki scored on Banis’ single in the third inning to give his team a 2-0 lead before Hawaii Kai’s Keaka Bennett scored after singling in the bottom of the inning.

Oahu Elite responded in the fourth when Fabian Guanio led off with a double and later scored on C.J. Taira’s single.

Hawaii Kai tied the game in the fifth inning after the first two batters were retired.

Jaxson Cadiz reached on a fielder’s choice and Slade Sarono singled to start a streak of three hits by Hawaii Kai. Ahu and Nishina each singled, scoring Cadiz and Sarono to tie the game at three. Luke Tuasivi and Banis each pitched for Oahu Elite.

Oahu Elite’s Baren Banis is surrounded by his teammates after hitting a home run in the second game of Saturday’s championship. Photo: Thomas Ranson

The earlier game when a Hawaii Kai win would have prevented the “if” game, Oahu Elite almost folded in the final inning.

After opening with a pair of runs earlier in the game, Oahu Elite saw Nishina lead off the final inning with a single followed by Kauahi reaching. After Gallano grounded out to the pitcher, Hayzen Inouye reached on an infield error, which scored Nishina and put Kauahi on third. Shinagawa struck out and Kaiaka Lau Kong popped out to the shortstop to end the game.

Tournament scores

July 26
Hawaii Kai 6, Hanford (Central California) 5
Tri-Valley (Northern California) 16, Vernal (Northern Utah) 1
El Segundo (Southern California) 11, Yuma (Arizona), 3
Oahu Elite 6, Fallon 1

July 27
Tri-Valley 11, South Reno 1
Oahu Elite 10, Lone Peak (Southern Utah) 0
Yuma 4, Vernal 0
Hanford 8, Fallon 5

July 28
Hawaii Kai 5, Tri-Valley 4
Oahu Elite 10, El Segundo 1
Hanford 12, South Reno 2
Yuma 13, Lone Peak 0

July 29
Hawaii Kai 4, Oahu Elite 2
Hanford 6, El Segundo 3
Tri-Valley 11, Yuma 6

July 30
Tri-Valley 14, Hanford 3
Oahu Elite 3, Tri-Valley 0

July 31 (Championship)
Oahu Elite 2, Hawaii Kai 1
Hawaii Kai 4, Oahu Elite 3 (‘if’ game)

Hawaii Kai comes back to win regional title in Fallon

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