Hilo reaches semis of Cal Ripken series
By Mary Beth Kozak
Special to The Advertiser
ABERDEEN, Md. — Hilo's Jeremy Crivello came back to finish what he started in yesterday's quarterfinal game against Lexington, Ky., in the Cal Ripken World Series for 12-year-olds.
Crivello, the game's starting pitcher who was replaced in the sixth inning, came back to get the final out and preserve a 6-5 victory at Ripken Stadium.
Hilo (5-0) plays West Linn, Ore., today for a berth in the championship game against the winner of the International Division semifinal between Mexico and Australia.
Crivello improved his series record to 2-0 as he pitched five-plus innings against Lexington (3-2).
Lexington scored two runs in the top of the first inning. Hilo answered with three runs in the bottom of the first.
Hilo's Aaron Soong walked to lead off the first, and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Kolten Wong also walked. Crivello then hit a single to left field to score Soong as Wong advanced to third. Jaycen Cann-Ferriera singled to right field to score Wong and Crivello.
Hilo scored another run in the third inning, but, Lexington pitcher, Shane Crane, quieted Hilo's bats until the bottom of the fifth inning when Wong hit a two-run home run to center field for a 6-2 lead.
Wong's home run proved to be the difference as Lexington came back in the top of the sixth inning.
Hilo pitcher Mikey Kenui came in to close the game, only to fill the bases and walk in a run by hitting batter, Tayler Young.
Manager Kaha Wong came out to the mound and handed the ball back to Crivello.
With the bases still loaded, Crivello gave up a two-run single to center field to Logan Jackson with two outs. Crivello got Devon Williams to line out to Soong at shortstop to end the game.
"Lexington is a hell of a team," said Kaha Wong. "They're probably the best team we've faced."
Crivello struck out 14, while walking four.
"He's consistent, he's our No. 1," said Kaha Wong. "We wanted to save him (Crivello) for at least one inning tomorrow if we get into trouble tomorrow, but it didn't work out that way. But, Jeremy came back and closed it down."
West Linn upset previously unbeaten Glen Allen, Va., 2-1, yesterday to advance.
Hilo beat West Linn, 11-2, in pool play on Tuesday.
Hilo's Aisha Sueda will get the start today against West Linn. Sueda is 1-0 having pitched three innings with an 0.00 era, having allowed two hits while striking out four.
The championship game of the Cal Ripken World Series will be televised live on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Hawai'i time on Fox Sports Net.
"It feels good to go on and keep going," said Crivello. "Watch TV for us when we get to the championship, because I know we are."
