Nationals take District 1 title

Kaneohe Nationals 14, Kainalu 7

KAPA‘A — Kalen Hamada and Kaimana Pimental each hit solo homeruns. Michael Pang hit two two-run homers and pitcher Kalei Davis struck out five batters in the Kaneohe Nationals’ 14-7 win over the Kainalu All-Stars yesterday in Kapa‘a.

The win gave the Nationals (3-0) the title of District 1 Majors Champions for Little League. They now advance to the state tournament at Barber’s Point on O‘ahu.

In what was like a rematch of Sunday’s close game that went into extra innings, this was only close from the very beginning.

Kainalu (1-2) went up first when Eli Davidann hit center towards Kaneohe’s Davis and scored Chris Seiple.

At the bottom of the first, Pang answered with his first two-run homer, scoring Pimental to put them up 2-1.

That was matched by Tommy Morris’ single homer in the second.

With a tie game, the Nationals’ bats woke up at the bottom of the second and came up with five runs of five hits, scoring.

By the bottom of the third inning, the Nationals’ scored five more to bring the score up to 12-2.

Kainalu feeling the pressure of having the game end early due to the 10-run rule, Kainalu’s Blake Lyon came up with a single to get on base.

Cristian Johnston was walked and Noa Smith hit one straight to center field to load the bases.

Daniel Fentriss cranked out a hit to score two runs and keep Kainalu in the game.

Then came Hamada’s homerun that threatened to halt Kainalu’s momentum.

Kaneohe’s Davis, on the other hand, was pitching a good game up until that point.

But after hitting two batters back to back, Davis was pulled and relieved by Pimental.

Kainalu was able to get a few hits off Pimental, but fell short as with the bases loaded at a full count, Kainoa Canario struck out swinging.

• Lanaly Cabalo, sports editor, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 237) or lcabalo@kauaipubco.com.