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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Pearl City claims Seniors state title

By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer

Pearl City put the finishing touches on its Little League Seniors (ages 14-16) State Tournament title yesterday, and it all started at the top.

Jordan Oshiro and Royce Murai, the lead-off and No. 2 batters, both reached base all four times up as Pearl City beat 'Aiea/Halawa, 9-6, at Hans L'Orange Park.

Oshiro batted 3 for 3 with a walk and three runs, and Murai went 3 for 3 with a walk, double, triple, two runs and two RBIs.

"Those two guys are our main guys," said Pearl City coach Kyle Nakata. "They get on base all the time. They're pretty good with their bats, put the ball in play and have pretty good speed. Those guys get on and the other guys push them over."

Pearl City advances to the West Regional at Upland, Calif., July 29 to Aug. 5.

"This is a pretty strong team," Murai said. "It's mental for us. Just to stay in the game and always think we can do it."

Pearl City will head to the regionals with an experienced roster. Five of the players on the roster were part of the Pearl City team that won the Juniors (ages 13-14) World Series last year.

Pearl City (3-0) handed 'Aiea/Halawa (3-2) both its losses in the double-elimination tournament.

'Aiea/Halawa had only 11 players on its roster, but coach Kevin Watanabe didn't feel a lack of numbers was a factor.

"We had really excellent pitching in this tournament," he said. "All of them did their job and did what we asked them to do."

Pearl City scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning on four walks and three singles. Oshiro and Murai drew walks to start the inning, and came in on Bronson Shim's two-run single. Reid Ramos also had a two-run single in the inning.

"It's my first time being lead-off batter," Oshiro said. "I was just trying my best to get on base all the time."

'Aiea/Halawa cut the deficit to 4-3 in the second on consecutive two-out, run-scoring singles by Dane Matsuo, Brennan Alejo and Shane Okubo.

Pearl City took an 8-4 lead after four innings, but 'Aiea/Halawa got within two with a pair of runs in the sixth on Okubo's RBI single and Preston Ha'o's run-scoring triple.

"We knew we could come back," Watanabe said. "We just had to believe we could come back."

'Aiea/Halawa had the tying run on base in the inning, but Pearl City reliever Shayne Nakata, the coach's son, entered and induced a weak comebacker to retire the side.

Pearl City added an insurance run in the sixth on a throwing error, and Shayne Nakata added a scoreless seventh for the save.

"I'm very proud of him," Kyle Nakata said of his son. "At least he threw strikes. That was the main thing because it was a little wet, too. At least he kept the ball low. Keep it high and it's going to be gone."

Shim, who started in right field for Pearl City, pitched four innings for the victory.

Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8041.

'AIEA/HALAWA 030 102 0 — 6 11 2

PEARL CITY 421 101 X — 9 14 3

Cedric Kojima, Jay Nakamura (4), Shane Okubo (6) and Preston Ha'o. Keanu Sato, Bronson Shim (2), Shayne Nakata (6) and Royce Murai. W — Shim. L — Kojima. S — Nakata.

Leading hitters—'Aiea/Halawa: Kojima triple, 2 runs; Dane Matsuo 2 runs; Brennan Alejo 3-4; Okubo 2-4, 2 RBIs; Ha'o triple, 2 RBIs; Bryson Gabriel 2-4. Pearl City: Jordan Oshiro 3-3, 3 runs; Murai 3-3, double, triple, 2 runs, 2 RBIs; Kala Neal 2 runs; Shim 3-4, double, 2 runs, 2 RBIs; Reid Ramos 2-4, 2 RBIs.

Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com.