Hilo played tough, but Waipio was too strong.
The Oahu club topped the Big Islanders 11-7 in the semifinal game of the Little League Baseball state minors tournament Monday in Waimea.
Waipio advances to today’s 1 p.m. title game against Kaneohe in the tournament for players ages 9 and 10.
Kaneohe is undefeated and needs only one win to win the state crown. Waipio must try to force a second game immediately following.
Waipio took the lead for good in the bottom of the third after Hilo had fought back from a 3-0 deficit to tie the game. Waipio got an RBI hit from Cayden Okada, and Kiai Ramos drove in another run during the four-run inning.
Hilo fought back again in the fifth to trim the lead to 7-6, but Waipio put up another four spot to take command.
For Waipio, Devin Shimabukuro had two hits, including a double, and an RBI. Vincent Ogasawara had two doubles and three RBIs. Maiah Mota and Aaron Ujimori each added an RBI.
Seth Garcia pitched 4 1⁄3 innings to get the win. He gave up three runs on seven hits and struck out two.
For Hilo, Ocean Gabonia went 3-for-4 with an RBI. Paul Antony also went 3-for-4.
Kahiau Vincent hit a double, and Kahulialii Arraujo hit an RBI double.
Paul Antony suffered the loss. He gave up seven runs on seven hits.
Hilo 021 031 — 7 10
Waipio 304 04x — 11 14
Seniors
c Maui 11, Hilo 1: Pitcher Joshua Nobriga held the dangerous Hilo all-stars to five singles in six strong innings to lead Maui to an 11-1 win over the Big Islanders Monday night in the state Little League seniors tournament on Oahu.
With the victory coming out of the losers bracket, Maui (2-1) forced a finala contest at 6 p.m. today against previously unbeaten Hilo (2-1) at Hans L’Orange Field in Waipahu. The winner of the four-team, double-elimination tournament for players ages 15-16 will clinch a berth in the West Regional, scheduled Aug. 3-11 in Ontario, Calif.
The West Regional champion will then advance to the Seniors World Series.
Nobriga struck out seven during his productive stint on the mound and earned the win. Hilo starter Bronson Pulgados took the loss, going 2 1⁄3 innings. He was the first of four Big Island pitchers who tried to slow down Maui’s 10-hit attack.
Patrick Turner led Maui with two hits and drove in two runs. No one paired hits for Hilo.
Hilo also committed four errors in the game compared to Maui’s one.
Maui 040 102 4 — 11 10 1
Hilo 001 000 0 — 1 5 4
