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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Sunday, August 10, 2003

Pearl City reaches regional title game

By George Alfano
Special to The Advertiser

ON TV

Pearl City vs. Washington

Tomorrow 4 p.m.
ESPN2
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Summarize the Pearl City Little League team like this: The offense comes late but is worth the wait.

Hawai'i's representative in the Northwest Regional Little League tournament scored three runs in the final inning to post a 6-3 victory over Idaho in last night's semifinal. Pearl City has won five games in the tournament, and four of the victories have been in its final turn at bat.

Pearl City will face Washington, which defeated Oregon, 4-2, in tomorrow's regional championship game. The winner will move to the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., later this month.

With one out in the top of the sixth, Pearl City loaded the bases.

David Lee reached on an error, winning pitcher Alika Pruett walked and Bryson Namba reached on a fielder's choice when Pruett was forced at second base. After Chance Tanigawa received an intentional walk, Arlie "A.J." Johnson singled to right to snap a 3-3 deadlock, and Bully Casarez doubled to right to drive home two more runs.

Johnson said he was nervous, but felt confident he could get a hit against Idaho pitcher Kevin Hawk. "I thought the pitcher was throwing at just the speed I could hit," said Johnson about his game-winning single.

Casarez found a belt-high pitch on the outer part of the plate to give Pearl City some insurance.

"I had my heart checked right before I came over here for the tournament," said Pearl City coach Keith Nakamura. "I started this tournament at 38 years old, but I feel about 62 now.

"Everybody did their job tonight. The kids were disciplined at the plate and they never give up."

Getting to the final wasn't easy for Pearl City, which left nine runners on base in the first five innings. Starting pitcher Lee threw only 12 pitches and Idaho, which was represented by the East Boise League, scored two runs on a wild pitch before anyone was out.

Pruett came in to face the third batter of the game, and struck out 13 batters while allowing an unearned run and five hits. Nakamura had hoped he wouldn't have to use Pruett for six innings so he could save him for tomorrow's final.

"I knew Lee didn't have great stuff tonight and he got a bit flustered," said Nakamura. Lee had pitched well against Oregon earlier in the week.

Nakamura said he will meet with his coaching staff to decide who will pitch in tomorrow's game. Lee, Tanigawa and Namba are the options for Nakamura, and all three have pitched well in the tournament.

Pearl City cut Idaho's lead to 2-1 when Joshua Manuma doubled home a run in the fourth inning. They took a 3-2 lead in the fifth inning when Tanigawa and Casarez drew bases-loaded walks, but missed an opportunity to break the game open.

Idaho tied it when Hawk walked and scored on an error when Andrew Work singled and the ball got by the left fielder.

If Pearl City wins tomorrow, it will be the second consecutive year that Hawai'i will be represented in the Little League World Series. Last year, Waipi'o was the Northwest representative in the World Series.

  • Hawai'i 000 123 — 6 6 3
  • Idaho 200 010 — 3 5 2

David Lee, Alika Pruett (1) and Bryson Namba. Andrew Work, Preston Minter (5), Kevin Hawk (5) and Kevin Hawk, Kyle Wood (5). W—Pruett (2-0). L—Hawk (0-2).

PONY Bronco (11-12): Mililani scored four runs in the top of the seventh inning to beat North Wake (N.C.), 10-9, yesterday in the P.O.N.Y. League Bronco World Series in Monterey, Calif.

Winning pitcher Austin Nakamura hit a two-run home run in the top of the seventh.

  • Mililani (1-1) plays Whittier (Calif.) today.
  • Mililani 121 020 4 — 10
  • N. Carolina 021 312 0 — 9

Kylen Cadiam, Darren Baccay (4), Christian Carmichael (5), Austin Nakamura (6) and Nakamura, Christian Carmichael (6). Daniel Brown, Eric Brommer (7) and Brian Yeung, Mark Petersen (2).

Leading Hitters: Mililani—Kylen Cadiam 2 singles, 2 RBIs; Nakamura 2 doubles, home run, 4 RBIs. NC—Eric Brommer home run, 2 RBIs.