Hilo's Reyn Kihara didn't look destined for a complete-game performance yesterday against KAC after struggling through the first three innings.

But once Hilo tied the game in the fourth, Kihara put it all together.

Kihara pitched a four-hitter and RJ Iyo had the go-ahead two-run double in the sixth as Hilo rallied past KAC, 5-3, in the P.O.N.Y. Pony (ages 13-14) Hawai'i Region Tournament final at Central O'ahu Regional Park.

"He's the guy we depend on," Hilo coach Eric Kurosawa said of Kihara. "He's our go-to guy. He came up aces for us today."

Hilo advances to the West Zone Tournament, July 31 to Aug. 3 at Fullerton, Calif. The World Series is Aug. 7 to 15 at Washington, Pa.

"It's good. It's the first time we won," said Kihara, an incoming sophomore at Waiakea High.

Kihara, a left-hander, threw 137 pitches, including 85 over the first three innings as KAC took a 3-0 lead.

When asked if he was concerned about Kihara's high pitch count, Kurosawa said, "Nope. He was ready to do this."

Things could have been worse for Hilo, but KAC went 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position and stranded six runners — five in scoring position — over the first three innings.

"We had a lot of opportunities," said KAC coach Frank Butcher Sr. "We had men on base and we just didn't drive them in. That's the way it goes. That's baseball."

In the top of the fourth, Hilo's Kaimana Moike had an RBI double, and later came around on a fielding error by the second baseman. Kihara tied it at 3-3 with a run-scoring single up the middle.

Kihara seemed to get his second wind after Hilo got back in the game. He didn't allow a hit and struck out five over the final four innings.

"We just kept sticking with him," Kurosawa said. "I guess the key thing was when we scored those three runs to tie it up. The game switched right there."

Hilo loaded the bases with one out in the sixth after a walk to Keenan Nishioka, and singles by Alika Guillermo and Kupono Correa.

Iyo then chopped a first-pitch single up the middle, which scored pinch runner Jace Okutsu and Guillermo to make it 5-3.

"It was a fastball inside. I kind of got jammed," said Iyo, an incoming sophomore at Waiakea.

KAC had two on and two out in the seventh, but Kihara got a line out to right fielder Moike to end it.

KAC took its 3-0 lead on David Torigoe's RBI single to center in the first and Bryce Asao's two-run homer to right in the third.

KAC beat Hilo, 4-1, on Sunday to force yesterday's winner-take-all final.

HILO (4-1) 000 302 0 — 5 8 3

KAC (5-2) 102 000 0 — 3 4 2

Reyn Kihara and Dean Hosaka. Bryce Ah Sam, Chaz Inouye (5) and Tyris Tominaga. W — Kihara. L — Inouye.

Leading hitters—Hilo: Kihara 2-4; Kaimana Moike 2-4, 2 doubles; Alika Guillermo 2 runs; RJ Iyo 2 RBIs. KAC: Bryce Asao two-run homer.

HILO ROSTER

Players: Davy Camacho, Kupono Correa, Rex Daquep, Alika Guillermo, Dean Hosaka, RJ Iyo, Rylan Kawazoe, Reyn Kihara, Korin Medeiros, Robbey Meguro, Kaimana Moike, Keenan Nishioka, Jace Okutsu, Tylor Shibata, Brandon Tanoue. Coaches: Eric Kurosawa, Curt Nishioka, Steve Guillermo.