Blaise Gokan slugged three home runs to lead the Royals to the title of the Lihu‘e Baseball League’s Pinto division, Wednesday. Gokan, the Royals’ third baseman, literally led the Royals as his third whack over the left-centerfield fence sent the
Blaise Gokan slugged three home runs to lead the Royals to the title of the Lihu‘e Baseball League’s Pinto division, Wednesday.
Gokan, the Royals’ third baseman, literally led the Royals as his third whack over the left-centerfield fence sent the crowd and dugout roaring in the bottom of the sixth inning to break an 11-11 deadlock for the title.
“He must have hit at least 20 (home runs) in the season,” said the LBL announcer who explained that the young players played through an expanded season where teams played 18 games excluding the playoffs.
He wasn’t certain, but felt confident that this was the most home runs Gokan had hit in a single game.
“There was another game where he hit three home runs, so this is his second game where he hit three,” the announcer said following the see-saw battle for the Pinto division title.
That battle began Monday when the Royals took the first best two-of-three title series in extra innings, said Tom Vallatini, president of the LBL.
Facing each other on Tuesday, the DBacks kept the series alive by getting past the Royals to force the third game, Wednesday afternoon.
Chase Ibia, KC Loo and Chase Tokita crossed the plate to give the DBacks an early 3-0 lead which was answered in the bottom of the frame when the Royals pushed four runs across.
That performance was sparked by a two-run HR, his first, by Gokan.
Undaunted, the DBacks came back with three more runs in the second which was answered by four more runs from the Royals for an 8-6 lead.
But the DBacks never gave up, and Malyssa Manera sparked a DBack comeback in the fourth inning with an RBI play that scored Shay Fujii to tie the game 8-8.
Ibia followed with an RBI single to left field, scoring Shaun Paglinawan for the tie-breaker and Ibia scored to give the DBacks a 10-8 edge.
That was answered with Gokan’s second home run in the bottom of the frame with one out, scoring Kustom Wise who got aboard on a right field single to knot the contest at 10-10.
With no DBack score in the fifth, the Royals’ spirits rose as the fielders came sliding into the dugout for its at-bat.
That spirit carried the Royals as Jace Ilae loaded the bases on a single to center field with just one away. Christian Manera, with two away, brought Travis Duran home for the 11-10 Royals’ nod.
But the DBacks wouldn’t go down, and in the sixth inning, knotted the score again when Paglinawan crossed the plate for the second time on an Ibia RBI for the 11-11 reading.
That set the stage for the Royals’ final appearance in the bottom of the frame. The DBacks still had hope as the Royals’ first batter flied to the pitcher for the first out.
But the Royals’ dugout was primed as Gokan was next in the lineup, and the third baseman did not disappoint as he whacked into the first pitch for the decider, the play sending the DBacks’ shortstop and center fielder, mitts outstretched, scurrying to the fence in a strong defensive effort.
Rory Ellamar, the Royals’ head coach, heaped praise on the players, noting how they came a long way since the season started, and the Wednesday game was just what can happen when players never give up.
The Royals’ roster include players Christian Manera, Kustom Wise, Blaise Gokan, Justice Camarillo, Jordan Nakamura, Tayedyn Francisco, Salisa Pegeder, Maka Ferreira, Travis Duran, Jace Ilae and Chaunci Nakaula.
Joining Ellamar on the coaching staff are assistants Kevin Gokan, Cory Nakamura, Eric Hadama, Donovan Ferreira and Chris Nakamura.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com
