Posted on: Wednesday, August 18, 2004
Pearl City Juniors unbeaten
Special to The Advertiser
Bryson Nakamura pitched a three-hitter as Pearl City beat Fort Worth, Texas, 3-1, yesterday in the Little League Junior (ages 13 and 14) World Series at Taylor, Mich.
The victory moved Pearl City (3-0) closer to a berth in Friday's USA final. Pearl City plays Tampa, Fla., tomorrow in its final game of pool play at 8 a.m. HST.
Nakamura struck out four, walked two and gave up a run in the top of the fifth when Fort Worth closed to 3-1.
Losing pitcher Walker Kelly also pitched a three-hitter and struck out 10. But Pearl City bunched all three hits in the third when it scored three runs.
Matt Tanaid singled with one out and Bully Casarez followed with a bunt. The Fort Worth third baseman fielded the ball and threw it past first base and into right field, allowing Tanaid to score and Casarez — who was awarded a single — to reach second.
Alika Pruett then doubled to deep left-center, scoring Casarez. Then, with two outs, Ryno Acosta singled to score Pruett and make it 3-0.
— Neal Ruhl
Walker Kelly and Chris Rivera. Bryson Nakamura and Nainoa Tampos. W—Nakamura. L—Kelly.
Leading hitter: PC—Alika Pruett double, RBI.
O'ahu surges to 2-0 with 4-1 victory
O'ahu gained control of the top spot in the National Division of the Cal Ripken (12 years old) World Series by defeating Kennewick (Wash.), 4-1, yesterday at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, Md.
Chris Chung pitched a six-hitter and struck out 10 as O'ahu (2-0) remained the only undefeated team in its division.
"Winning the first two games in the pool is great," said O'ahu manager Gerald Oda. "We control our own destiny from this point on. We have two more games and we'll see."
O'ahu plays Greenwich (Conn.) today at 5 a.m. HST.
Yesterday's win was highlighted by excellent defense, solid pitching and timely hitting.
Jarret Arakawa and Jordan Oshiro both hit doubles in the top of the first inning. Arakawa scored on a wild pitch and Oshiro on a fielder's choice to give O'ahu a 2-0 lead.
In the second, Scott Sakaida scored on a hit by Chung and Micah Mizumoto scored on an error to make it 4-0.
Kennewick scored in the fourth on a throwing error.
— Mary Beth Kozak
Chris Chung and Landon Yoshikawa. Kyle Miller, Jordan Larkin (4) and Tyler Wolf. W—Chung. L—Miller.
Leading hitters: O'ahu—Jarret Arakawa double, Jordan Oshiro double.
CAL RIPKEN
