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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, August 21, 2004

YOUTH BASEBALL
O'ahu reaches U.S. title game

Special to the Advertiser

Jeremy Fujimoto's single to deep right field scored O'ahu a berth into the U.S. championship game and kept alive its bid for a Cal Ripken (12-year-olds) World Series title yesterday at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, Md.

Fujimoto's hit, with the bases loaded in the sixth and final inning, drove in Scott Sakaida to give O'ahu a 3-2 victory over Lexington, Ky.

O'ahu will face West Raleigh, N.C., today for the U.S. championship. West Raleigh advanced by defeating Greenwich, Conn., 5-4 ,yesterday.

In the bottom of the sixth, Sakaida led off with a double and advanced to third on a fielder's choice. Lexington intentionally walked Jarrett Arakawa, for the second time, and Jordan Oshiro to load the bases, setting up Fujimoto.

"We always talk about it with our kids," said O'ahu manager Gerald Oda. "We always do this drill in practice, and we say 'Bottom of the sixth inning, game-winning run on third base, who's going to be the hero?' We got heroes on this team, fortunately he came through for us, but my heart goes out to Kentucky."

Said Fujimoto: "It felt good because I was really nervous. I just looked for a good pitch to hit and I got it. Coach always told us to be a hero, so I was just pumped and I wanted to get that hit and I did. I was happy."

Fujimoto also had a stellar play at shortstop making a diving stop of a line drive to prevent a run from scoring in the third.

"Our defense has really held us together," Arakawa said. "Our whole defense has been making plays, but (Fujimoto) probably makes most of them."

Arakawa (3-0) struck out eight, walked two and gave up four hits to earn the complete-game win.

"I'm just so happy for our kids just to give us a chance to move on to the final game," Oda said.

Daegu, Korea, and Mexico City will play for the International title today. The U.S. and International champs will play for the World Series title tomorrow.

— Mary Beth Kozak


Lexington, KY. 001 010—2 4 3
O'ahu 100 101—3 8 0

Will Evans and Benjamin Pelham. Jarret Arakawa and Landon Yoshikawa. W—Arakawa. L—Evans.

Leading hitters—Lexington: Phillip Donovan 2-4. O'ahu: Jeremy Fujimoto 2-4; Kewby Meyer 2-3, double.



PONY

Mililani loses first game in World Series

Mililani began yesterday's action just a couple of innings away from reaching the Pony (13- and 14-year olds) World Series final. Not only did the West Zone champions fritter away a chance for an easy day, Mililani is now fighting for its tournament life, although it remains in good shape.

Rain wreaked havoc on Lew Hays Pony Field in Washington, Pa., for a second straight day.

And for a second straight day, Mililani and Caguas, Puerto Rico, ended the day with a suspended game. In yesterday's early game, Benjamin Gonzalez doubled and scored on a single by Richard Cruz in the fifth inning to give Caguas a 2-1 victory. Mililani lost its first game in the double-elimination tournament, and forced another game between the two teams.

The second game was suspended by rain in the top of the third inning with Mililani leading 4-2. The game will continue today with the winner advancing to play East Cobb, Ga., for the World Series title, also today. East Cobb defeated Evansville-East, 19-3, to reach the title game.

In the first game yesterday, Mililani was held to four hits by Caguas pitchers Dean Caragena, who earned the win, and Christopher Fonseca, who picked up the save.

In the second game, Mililani scored two runs in each of the first two innings off Caguas starting pitcher Richard Cruz. Kyle Gonzaga, Mililani's starting pitcher, hit a solo home run in the first.

— Doug Street


Mililani 010 000 0—1 4 1
Puerto Rico 100 010 X—2 5 0

Waylen Sing Chow, Dustin Antolin (3) and Darby Ventura. Dean Catahena, Chris Fonseca (7) and Jonathon Padro. W—Catahena. L—Antolin.

Leading hitters—Mililani: T.J. Esclito double; Jared Nagai double. PR: Kenneth Roque homer; Benjamin Gonzalez 2-2, double.



LITTLE LEAGUE

Pearl City eliminated in Juniors World Series

All the talk coming into last night's Junior League (13- to 14-year olds) World Series was about how Pearl City was going to slow down the big offense of Palma Ciea/Bayshore Little League, from Tampa, Fla., in the USA Division title game.

In the end, it was Palma Ciea/Tampa's pitching that Pearl City was unable to solve as they were shut down, 5-0, in Taylor, Mich. The loss knocked Pearl City out of the tournament, and ended their hopes of facing International Division champion Venezuela in tonight's final.

Pearl City was stymied by pitcher Peto Kirkwood. Kirkwood scattered seven hits and struck out five in the complete game shutout.

"I didn't think he would shut us out," Pearl City manager Garret Nago said. "But we did have our chances to get to him. We just couldn't get that big hit."

Palma Ciea scored the only run it needed in the first inning on Mike Lashbrook's home run. It was the 12th homer for Tampa, tying a World Series team record set in 1983.

The play that hurt Pearl City was an intentional walk to Palma Ciea's Mike Lashbrook following a leadoff single by Cornelius Gallon to start the third inning. Following a double steal, Carter Ilgenfritz then singled off Pearl City starter Alika Pruett to drive in two runs, and give Palma Ciea a 3-0 lead.

— By Neal Ruhl


Pearl City 000 000 0—0 7 4
Palma Ceia 102 020 x—5 7 0