WAIMEA — Danny Ayala, shortstop for Pomaikai of the Big Island, blasted the 5th Annual Joed McCluskey Memorial Softball Invitational Tournament off to a quick start Wednesday as he blasted a grand slam homerun in the second inning of their game against Kaua’i’s Ohana Motors.
Ayala followed that feat with a solo shot followed by a 2-run launch to left-center.
Ayala clinched the Pomaikai win with a 2-RBI double that he stretched into a three-bagger as Pomaikai took Ohana Motors, 23-10 on the opening day at Waimea Canyon Park.
Despite the Ayala grandslam, Ohana Motors held their own for two innings with an 11-9 lead over the Big Islanders until the Kaua’i bats silenced and Ohana Motors could only generate one run before time ran out on their match.
Pool play continues through Thursday afternoon with the elimination rounds starting Friday morning and concluding with the championship on Saturday at Waimea Canyon Park.
Kaua’i Senior Softball Association commissioner Pat Rosa said the McCluskey tournament is a major fund-raiser for the Kaua’i senior softball program, and he welcomed all of the participating teams, which included four from California, two from the Big Island, two from O’ahu, and three all-star teams from Kaua’i.
Rosa is hopeful the tournament will expand to include Maui participation in next year’s action, and is banking on the 32-team state tournament next summer to show other teams Kaua’i’s hospitality.
Rosa pointed out that the state tournament will take place at the Hanapepe Stadium.
Teams participating include State Roofing, Walnut Creed, Modesto Eagles, and the Islanders from California, the Lettermen and the Hawaiians from O’ahu, Kona Gold and Pomaikai from the Big Island, and the Fil Am’s, West Kaua’i, and Ohana Motors representing Kaua’i.
Pool play, which starts at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, include the following games:
- Field A
- 8:30 a.m. Islanders vs. Hawaiians
- 9:45 a.m. Walnut Creek vs. Pomaikai
- 11 a.m. Ohana Motors vs. West Kaua’i
- 12:15 p.m. Modesto Eagles vs. Pomaikai
- 1:30 p.m. Fil Am’s vs. Lettermen
- 2:45 p.m. State Roofing vs. Lettermen
- Field B
- 8:30 a.m. Modesto Eagles vs. West Kaua’i
- 9:45 a.m. Islanders vs. Kona Gold
- 11 a.m. State Roofing vs. Fil Am’s
- 12:15 p.m. Ohana Motors vs. Hawaiians
- 1:30 P.M. Walnut Creek vs. Kona Gold
