The Garden Island Unlike Hurricane Daniel, the Garden Island Boyz, a 12-and-under all-star baseball squad, refused to die down on their way to a sixth straight win yesterday at the Hawai‘i World Series on O‘ahu. “They’ve been having a blast,”
The Garden Island
Unlike Hurricane Daniel, the Garden Island Boyz, a 12-and-under all-star baseball squad, refused to die down on their way to a sixth straight win yesterday at the Hawai‘i World Series on O‘ahu.
“They’ve been having a blast,” Garden Island Boyz coach Kirk Correa said over the phone. “They’re loud in the dugout and everyone’s been having fun cheering for one another.”
The 15-1 victory over Windward at Central O‘ahu Regional Park earned them a spot in the semifinals.
Kaua‘i rained down 11 hits, which included top plate appearances by Shylen Keuma (3-3, 4 RBI) and Mikeo Rita (2-2, 3 RBI). Alika Emayo, Dallas Correa, Kaimana Alquiza-Perreira, Kaimana Jose, Bronson Aiwohi and Brandon Keupe.
“We knew that we’d face tough teams, but we also expected to compete with them,” catcher Dallas Correa said. “It feels really good because if we win today, we’re sitting pretty in the championship game. If we don’t make errors and we hit the ball, we’re pretty sure we should pull it off.”
On the mound, the Garden Isle crew received more than enough prowess from John Das, who threw a complete game two-hitter, striking out four along the way.
The Kaua‘i contingent battles Mexico in a semifinal match today at 11 a.m. In pool play earlier in the week, Kaua‘i slammed Mexico, 12-0.
“They got a tough team,” Kirk Correa said. “I think we’ll do good if we continue to do what we’re doing. Mikeo (Rita) is on the mound today.
They have don’t have good team speed, but they can hit.”
Correa said the team is guaranteed at least third place in the double elminiation tournament.
“It feels good,” centerfielder Tylen Remata said. “Just being on the field and hitting my first home run were really good for me. I played good defense at centerfield.”
West O‘ahu trounced Southside Kaua‘i, 10-0 yesterday. However, Southside, who plays today, is still alive in the 19-and-under tournament.
