KAPA‘A — The tiger roared, Saturday. Lia Tom, described by the local newspaper as the “tiger,” got the honor of whacking the first home run of the 2010 District 1 Major Little League tournament at the New Kapa‘a Town Park Main Diamond.
KAPA‘A — The tiger roared, Saturday.
Lia Tom, described by the local newspaper as the “tiger,” got the honor of whacking the first home run of the 2010 District 1 Major Little League tournament at the New Kapa‘a Town Park Main Diamond.
“The first home run of the tournament was hit by a girl,” said Bob Kawamoto, the Tournament Director. “That is something.”
But besides leading the four-run opening frame, the Kailua second base was called in to close the game in relief of Cameron Wong, who threw six pitches on the heels of starter Dalton Kalama, who maxed out at 89 throws.
Kalama picked up the 7-1 win on the hill, allowing one run on just three hits through five innings of work that came on the heels of a 20-count ceiling in the final inning, Friday. He allowed one walk and struck out seven Kawaihau batters.
With two Kawaihau runners on the bag and one away, Tom put away the next two batters, striking out one looking, and getting the close on a line drive to first base in the sixth inning.
Kalama, lacing the first of two singles, opened the doors, scoring on Tom’s home run in the first frame.
Noah Auld doubled down the rightfield line and scored on a steal from second, crossing on the attempted putouts.
Evan Kroll singled and courtesy runner Troy Cacal scored on a Colin Kubota RBI single to rightfield.
Kailua went on to add another run in the second when Kalama, singling to get on board, scored when Kroll walked with loaded basepaths.
Nikolai Ortiz doubled in the third frame and scored on a Kalama RBI single.
Bryson Soares, walking first, notched the final Kailua run in the fourth inning, scoring on a Kubota fielder’s choice play.
Kailua had 10 hits on the day.
Kawaihau hits were led by Johnny Levinthol’s solo home run in the third frame. Chaz Pacleb and Braxton Garcia each singled.
Kawaihau defense had a shining moment in the fifth inning when Kailua’s Cameron Wong hit into a double play with one away, the Kawaihau defense taking the fielder’s choice ball and cutting down Kalama at the plate before firing to third base where Tom was taken out to get Kawaihau out of the inning.
With the win, Kailua advances to a 3 p.m. game today against Kainalu.
Kawaihau is in action starting at noon at the New Kapa‘a Town Park Main Diamond.
