WAIMEA — Different coach, same story. The Kalawai Youth Baseball program won its second straight mustang title yesterday at the Waimea Canyon Ballpark. Last season, Kirk Correa took a Kalawai squad to the top and this year, under the guidance
WAIMEA — Different coach, same story. The Kalawai Youth Baseball program won its second straight mustang title yesterday at the Waimea Canyon Ballpark.
Last season, Kirk Correa took a Kalawai squad to the top and this year, under the guidance of Larry Ephan Jr., the Kalawai Cardinals rose to the top of the West Kaua‘i Youth Baseball world with an 8-7 win over Kekaha.
But the Angels fought hard throughout and defeated Kalawai, 6-5 in the first game of the double elimination tournament.
Then in the second game, B.J. Freitas picked up the victory for the Yankees. At the plate, Garrett Beyer (2-2) and Jonah Malapit (1-4) led the way for Kalawai.
Alika Emayo suffered the loss for Kekaha and the overhand thrower also helped himself out at the plate with a 3-4 performance, which included a big blast, a triple, and a double.
Kalawai moves on to face off against Lihu‘e’s all-stars in the island mustang championship. The Yankees also selected top players from other teams throughout their league.
Team members include: B.J. Freitas, William Ogawa, Garrett Beyer, Taylor Ephan, Jonah Malapit, Vaughn Thompson, Mikey Rita, Jordan Cummings, Harry Wa‘ahila, Javan Torres, Anthony Wagner, and La‘akea Warren. Kalawai coaches are Larry Ephan Jr., Byron Freitas Sr., Jim Beyer, and Mark Malapit. Team mom is Becky Malapit.
