O'ahu 3-0 in Ripken Series
Special to The Advertiser
O'ahu secured a spot in the single-elimination round by defeating Greenwich, Conn., 14-3, yesterday in the Cal Ripken World Series for 12-year-olds at Aberdeen, Md.
O'ahu (3-0), which will be the top seed in the National Division when the single-elimination round begins tomorrow, plays its final pool game today against St. Mary's County (Md.) at 2 p.m. HST.
"Our first goal coming to this thing was to make it out of pool play," O'ahu manager Gerald Oda said. "I'm happy for our kids because they accomplished our first goal. Now, we need to win our first game of elimination because anything can happen. We're just taking it one game at a time."
O'ahu dominated yesterday's game, batting 13 for 23 as a team, including six extra-base hits, to stop the contest by the 10-run mercy rule after five innings.
Kewby Meyer, who was 3 for 3 with four RBIs, hit a three-run homer in the top of the first inning on a drive that just missed going foul in right field.
"I didn't know if it was foul or fair," Meyer said. "It just feels really great. It's kind of hard because there's a lot of pressure. It's just a great experience. I'm proud of myself."
Said Oda: "I looked at everybody and said 'Blow, blow' so it stays fair. It looked like it was going to go foul and I'm just glad it didn't hook."
Jarret Arakawa picked up his second win of the tournament, working the first three innings and allowing one hit with five strikeouts. Arakawa also batted 2 for 4, including a triple.
Landon Yoshikawa, who batted 2 for 3, pitched the final two innings.
O'ahu and Mexico (4-0) are the only undefeated teams remaining in the tournament.
In last year's final, Mexico defeated Hilo, 13-2. Many are anticipating a rematch between Mexico and Hawai'i.
"We have a chance at Mexico," Meyer said. "We'll find out."
— Mary Beth Kozak
O'ahu 506 03—14 13 0
Greenwich 000 30— 3 5 2
Jarret Arakawa, Landon Yoshikawa (4) and Yoshikawa, Keenan Shigematsu (4). Michael Dunster, John Paschall (1), Andrew Diddel (3) and Jack Zimmerman, Robbie Catalano. W—Arakawa. L—Dunster.
Leading hitters: Arakawa 2-4, triple, RBI; Jordan Oshiro 2-4, double, triple, 3 RBIs; Jeremy Fujimoto 2-4; Yoshikawa 2-3, RBI; Shigematsu triple, 2 RBIs; Kewby Meyer 3-3, double, homer, 4 RBIs.
LITTLE LEAGUE JUNIORS
Pearl City assured berth in USA final
Pearl City and Tampa, Fla., which will meet in a final pool game today, will meet up again tomorrow in the USA final of the Little League Junior (ages 13 and 14) World Series at Taylor, Mich.
Tampa beat Ankeny, Iowa, 12-7, yesterday to knock Ankeny out of contention and secure berths for itself and Pearl City in the USA final.
Pearl City and Tampa are both 3-0, entering today's game at 8 a.m. HST.
