Posted on: Sunday, August 22, 2004
O'ahu ousted in Ripken Series, 8-1
| • | Mililani falls in final of Pony World Series |
Special to The Advertiser
A rocky first inning yesterday cost O'ahu a chance to reach the championship game of the Cal Ripken (12-year-olds) World Series at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, Md.
Raleigh, N.C., scored six runs in the first inning en route to an 8-1 victory in the United States final.
O'ahu couldn't get anything started offensively, and its usually solid defense looked shaky.
O'ahu yielded four hits in the pivotal first inning, which was keyed by Devon McAlister's three-run double.
"They grabbed the momentum from the very start and that was huge," O'ahu manager Gerald Oda said. "They did what they had to do. They deserve it. They put the pressure on us."
Jarret Arakawa singled to start the bottom of the first for O'ahu and scored on right fielder Kewby Meyer's double for O'ahu's only run. Meyer was the leading hitter in the tournament with a .727 average.
McAlister, named the championship game's most outstanding player, teamed with Michael King on a four-hitter to put Raleigh into today's World Series championship game against International champion Mexico.
"It's just one of those days," said Arakawa, a first baseman/pitcher. "They hit our pitcher, and we tried to battle back, but they were just better than us today."
Arakawa, Meyer, second baseman Jordan Oshiro and shortstop Jeremy Fujimoto were named to the United States All-Tournament team. Arakawa and Fujimoto also made the All-Defense team.
"Cal Ripken and his family said they wanted to give these kids a big league experience, so this is truly a big league experience," Oda said. "The chances of these kids making it to the big leagues is zero to none, but for at least one week they can live the life of a big leaguer."
— Mary Beth Kozak
Devon McAlister, Michael King (3) and Matt Nusbaum. Christopher Chung, Jordan Oshiro (5) and Landon Yoshikawa. W—McAlister (2 innings, 3 hits, 1 run). L—Chung (4 innings, 9 hits, 6 runs).
Leading hitter: O'ahu—Kewby Meyer double, RBI.
Snieder's grand slam lifts O'ahu to 25-3 win
Paul Snieder hit a grand slam and O'ahu amassed 18 hits to crush Cranston, R.I., 25-3, yesterday in a first-round game of the Babe Ruth (14-year-olds) World Series at Fleming Stadium in Wilson, N.C.
O'ahu scored seven runs in the first inning and nine in the third, eventually forcing a 10-run mercy rule to end the game after the fifth inning.
Snieder, who hit his grand slam in the top of the fifth, finished 3 for 4 with seven RBIs and three runs scored.
Zachary Kometani batted 3 for 6 with three RBIs, and Matthew Suiter, Joshua Bninski, Harrison Ishida, Reece Kiriu and Zachary Coronas each had two hits for O'ahu.
O'ahu plays Jefferson Parish East, La., today at 6:30 a.m. HST.
— Travis Mayo
Paul Snieder, Evan Yamamoto (3) and Zachary Kometani, Travis Tanaka (3). Anthony Meo, Lucas Tillman (1), Jeff Botelho (3), J.T. Madonna (4) and Hopkins, Nick Devonis (5). W—Yamamoto; L—Meo.
Leading hitters: O'ahu—Paul Snieder 3-4, HR, double, 7 RBIs; Zachary Kometani 3-6, double, 3 RBIs; Matthew Suiter 2-4, 2 RBIs; Joshua Bninski 2-4, 2 doubles; Harrison Ishida 2-4, 3 RBIs; Reece Kiriu 2-4, double; Zachary Coronas 2-3.
Pearl City closes with win over Mexico
Nainoa Tampos homered and drove in three runs as Pearl City beat Mexico, 10-4, yesterday in a consolation final of the Little League Junior (ages 13-14) World Series at Taylor, Mich.
Nainoa Tampos, Ace Nago (4), John Abreu (5), Bryson Nakamura (6), Kamuela Perry-Chong (7) and David Lee, Alika Pruett (7). David Perea, Aleiandro Barroza (2), Leon Leon (5), Andre Avila (6) and Jose Laza. W—Abreu. L—Barroza.
Leading hitters: PC—Tampos 2-3, HR, 3 RBIs; Lee 2-2, double; Nago 2 RBIs.
RUTH WORLD SERIES
JUNIOR WORLD SERIES
