KAPA‘A — The biggest game of the year so far for the Kawaihau Little League minors division was also the best contest so far this season, as the Giants edged the Indians, 4-3 in six innings yesterday at Kapa‘a Ballpark.
KAPA‘A — The biggest game of the year so far for the Kawaihau Little League minors division was also the best contest so far this season, as the Giants edged the Indians, 4-3 in six innings yesterday at Kapa‘a Ballpark.
Indians pitcher Kaulana Kaui started off hot and blanked the Giants in the first frame, striking out two batters.
Giants pitcher Jonatham Yam also made short work of Indians batters, by keeping them off the scoreboard in the first.
But in the second, Duane Wakuta scored on a walk with two outs, as Kaui began to lose control. The Indians failed to answer in the second, going three up and three down.
Kaui helped himself out at the plate by getting on base and eventually scoring on a passed ball for the 1-1 tie in the third inning.
In the fourth, Trey Contrades struck out the side for the Indians, which kept the score tied at one apiece.
Christian Rapozo stole home for the 2-1 Indians lead. Kellen Aquino, the new Giants pitcher settled down and struck out three batters to stop the bleeding.
In the fifth inning, with “Turtle” Kuhaulua on the mound for the Indians, Aquino ripped an RBI triple to rightfield, scoring Conner Chandler, which knotted the game up at 2-2.
Then Yam roped an RBI single, scoring Aquino for the 3-2 advantage in favor of the Giants. Yam added an insurance run, by scoring on Indians error.
Kuhaulua managed to end the inning with a strikeout via Justin Nagahisa.
The Indians closed the gap in their half of the fifth, as Jordan Gray scored on an error, but Giants pitcher Aquino struck out Mitchell Alves to end the inning with the Giants up 4-3.
Kuhaulua shutout the Giants in the sixth, which set up the final frame, where Aquino struck out the final two batters for the 4-3 win.
Both teams showed why they are the cream of the crop, with crisp play, especially on defense.
With the win, the Giants moved to 3-0 on the season, the only unblemished record in the league. The loss dropped the Indians to 2-1.
Kawaihau Little League minors action continues on Saturday with two games on tap. At 9 a.m., the Twins face the Dodgers and at 11:30 a.m., the Marlins battle the Indians.
The Giants have the bye on Saturday.
All games are played at the Kapa‘a Ballpark on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings.
