From TGI Reports – Sometime during the first two weeks of April, 2002, Kaua’i will be jumping with baseball players. Not of the Kaua’i Interscholastic Federation variety or little leagues — though those will be here too — but of
From TGI Reports –
Sometime during the first two weeks of April, 2002, Kaua’i will be jumping with baseball players. Not of the Kaua’i Interscholastic Federation variety or little leagues — though those will be here too — but of the Americans of Japanese Ancestry kind.
That so, because the Garden Island will host the AJA state tournament next year. Players, fans, officials and other interested types will flock to Kaua’i for two days of celebrating one of the most anticipated athletic events in the state.
As for 2001, the AJA state tournament was held on Oahu April 7-8, with the 50,000-seat Aloha Stadium as the venue.
The representatives from Kaua’i — comprised mostly of members from league champion Hanapepe — did not fare especially well. The team lost its first-round game, 9-1, to a talented squad from the Big Island. The consolation contest did not unfold much better for Kaua’i; it lost 6-0 to Maui.
The team from Oahu ended up the state champion, defeating Hawai’i 9-6 on Sunday afternoon.
Kaua’i had trouble getting the offense going over the weekend, as it was able to muster just seven hits over its two games.
In its first contest, Wendall Nonaka — the most valuable player of the Kaua’i AJA — went the distance, striking out six and walking just one.
But the Hawai’i bats were too big for Kaua’i. Shaye Miura and Baba Lancaster each slugged two home runs apiece, while Kaha Wong punched out four hits and Charlie Matson cranked two doubles. Hawai’i managed 14 hits in all.
For Kaua’i, Mike Shimatsu recorded two base hits, while Lenn Nitta and Liko Pereira each got singles. Those four hits came at the expense of Hawai’i pitcher Klafford Naka’ahiki, who grew up in Kekaha and pitched for Waimea High School. He struck out nine.
Kaua’i had an even tougher time in the consolation final against Maui. Pitcher Buddy Taniguchi lasted three innings, giving up four hits and walking four. Kelly Robinson came on in relief to pitch three innings. He struck out four batters.
Kaua’i hits were recorded by Kaina McCallum, Dean Nonaka and Vince Nitta.
As for the individual awards at the state tournament, Oahu’s Corey Ishigo was the MVP after hitting 4-for-9 over the weekend. The batting champion was Oahu’s Robin Ho (3-for-5, .600). Hawai’i’s Baba Lancaster batted in five runs to earn the RBI crown.
