13-and-under boys fare well at AAU national tourney
The team was comprised of players from around the state.
And the two Kaua’i boys on the roster did more than hold their own. They made names for themselves.
Playing for the exclusive Hawai’i Warriors – the 13-and-under state traveling team – at the AAU National Championship Baseball Tournament in Kissimmee-St. Cloud, Fla., Aina’O Emayo and Isaac Castillo carried the torch for the Garden Island.
“They were impressive,” Warriors assistant coach Sam Dannaway said. “We were lucky to have them.”
The Warriors finished 4-2 at the national tournament, which was to run from July 20-28.
They lost their second, and final, contest 13-6 to the San Diego Stars in the championship pool.
“That team from San Diego,” Dannaway said. “They won the 12-and-Under AAU tournament last year.
“The kids on that team were bigger than most of our coaches.”
The Warriors did plenty to represent the islands, however. They started the tournament 3-0, and appeared headed for great things.
“Then we ran into a couple of tough teams,” Dannaway said. “We didn’t quite make the single-elimination tournament round.
“We figure we finished about 15th out of the 44 teams that were here.”
Hawai’i’s success allowed Emayo and Castillo plenty of exposure.
Dannaway said Emayo batted clean-up for the Warriors. From the fourth position, he had a 2-for-4 outing with three RBI and a 2-for-3 outing with three RBI.
When not at the plate, Emayo was in centerfield or on the pitcher’s mound. On Tuesday, he threw two-and-a-third innings and struck out two in picking up the win.
“He was solid in center,” Dannaway said. “He showed a lot of range out there.”
Castillo batted in the fifth spot. He had his best game on Sunday, when he went 3-for-5 with two doubles and one run scored. Against the Stars he was 1-for-3 with a triple and two runs scored.
He played shortstop for the Warriors.
“Some of the other coaches and I saw these two playing in a Bronco tournament last year,” Dannaway said. “We were very impressed and thought they’d fit nicely on the traveling team.
“They did.”
Dannaway also indicated the future hold plenty of promise for each athlete.
“Kaua’i is going to be hearing plenty from these boys,” he said. “Whether it be football or baseball or both, they’re going to do well.”
