Pearl City juniors win, 8-7
| • | Hilo loses first game at Cal Ripken Series |
By James Briggs
Special to The Advertiser
TAYLOR, Mich. — Entering the sixth inning yesterday, Pearl City shortstop Chace Numata remained hitless in three games of the Junior League World Series. He couldn't have picked a better time to end that streak.
Pearl City was locked in a 7-all tie with Alexandria, Va., when Numata came to the plate with two runners on in the sixth. He drove the ball to deep left field for an RBI double that lifted his team to an 8-7 victory.
"I was just thinking I had to get a hit," Numata said. "I didn't have a hit anytime during the series. It meant a lot."
Numata's hit proved once again that anyone can make a key play at any time for Pearl City.
"There are no individuals," Pearl City manager Mitchell Yamato said. "Everyone has their part, and when they're called on to do their part, they have to step up."
Several Pearl City batters stepped up in the fourth, as Virginia led 2-0. A.J. Johnson hit a two-run double that capped a seven-run inning in which 12 batters came to the plate.
Virginia responded in the top of the fifth, scoring five runs. But Pearl City pitcher Robert Brown took the mound in relief and struck out three batters to keep the game tied at 7.
Brown, who allowed five runs in two innings during the World Series opener, looked sharp against Virginia. After Numata's double gave Pearl City the lead in the sixth, Brown struck out two batters in a perfect seventh inning.
"I was feeling very confident," Brown said. "I knew I could do it as long as I threw strikes and my defense did its job."
With a 2-1 record in pool play, Pearl City remains in contention for the championship. Pearl City plays South Bend, Ind., today at 8 a.m., Hawai'i time.
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| Cal Ripken (12-under) Till Aug. 20 At Aberdeen, Md. Hawai‘i representative: Hilo (Hawai‘i champion, Pacific Southwest Regional champ) Manager: Kaha Wong Teams Roster: Sunday—defeated Kennewick, Wash., 2-0 Monday—defeated Newton, Conn., 10-3 Tuesday—defeated St. Mary’s County, Md., 12-0 Wednesday—Bryant, Ark., 7:30 a.m. Thursday—Bye Friday—International, U.S. semifinals, 6 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 2:30 p.m. Saturday—International, American championships, 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. Aug. 20—World Series Championship, 11 a.m. TV: OLN (all games live on Aug. 18, 19, 20) Online: worldseries.ripkenbaseball.com LITTLE LEAGUE JUNIORS (13-14) Hawai‘i representative: Pearl City (Hawai‘i champion, West Regional champ) Coach: Mitch Yamato Teams How they got here: Pearl City arrives in Taylor with a 12-1 record. The Hawaii state champions went 5-1 in the USA West region played in Pearl City. The hosts defeated the state champions of Washington (10-0), Utah (11-1), Idaho (4-0), Alaska (14-2) and Arizona (8-3) and split with Nevada (losing 10-3 and winning 13-0). History: Pearl City is making its third straight appearance in the Junior League World Series. The team was runner-up in the USA Pool in 2004 and 2005. Four players from last year’s team – Arlie Johnson, Edwin Izumigawa, Kala Neal and Robert Brown – have returned. This will be the fifth time a Pearl City team has played in Taylor. In 1984, Pearl City won the world championship. In 1989, the team went 3-2. Teams from Hawaii have represented the USA West region 10 times in the World Series. ‘Aiea is the only team to win back-to-back world championships (2000 and 2001) and also played in Taylor in 1990 and 1996. For the record: Teams from the USA West region have won more Junior League world championships than any other region. Of the eight world championships won by teams in the West, three have been won by Hawaiian teams. Pearl City Roster: Sunday—lost to El Campo, Texas, 9-0 Monday—Bye Tuesday—defeated North Cumberland, 5-4. Wednesday—Woodlawn, 2 p.m. Thursday—South Bend, 8 a.m. Friday—International, U.S. championships, 11 a.m., 2 p.m. Saturday—World Series Championship, 11 a.m. TV: ESPN (Championship game, delayed at 7:30 a.m. Aug. 30) Hawai‘i representative: Pearl City (Hawai‘i champion, West Regional champ) Coach: Gary Nakamoto Teams Pool B: How they got there: Pearl City successfully defended its U.S. West title with a 2-0 win over Mount View Little League of Scottsdale, Ariz., on Aug. 8. Pearl City was last year's World Series runner-up. Hawaii was 4-0 in pool play in the West regional and 6-0 overall while outscoring opponents 80-9. Uniform colors: Yellow and navy blue. Pool play Monday—defeated Yorktown, Va., 8-2 Tuesday—defeated Regina National, 7-3 Wednesday—Bye Thursday—Bangor Westside/East, 11 a.m. Friday—Semifinals, 5:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m. Saturday—World Series Championship, 8:30 a.m. TV: None scheduled |
