HANAPEPE — Lihu‘e Bronco All-Stars came up with six big runs on three hits in the sixth inning to clinch the Bronco Sectionals against the West Kaua‘i Bronco All-Stars, Saturday at the Hanapepe park. The 7-6 win, clinched by a
HANAPEPE — Lihu‘e Bronco All-Stars came up with six big runs on three hits in the sixth inning to clinch the Bronco Sectionals against the West Kaua‘i Bronco All-Stars, Saturday at the Hanapepe park.
The 7-6 win, clinched by a two-RBI double to rightfield by Tyler Manibog, advances Lihu‘e to the Big Island where it will represent Kaua‘i in the state Bronco tournament starting June 26.
Lihu‘e, quieted by West Kaua‘i defense until the fourth inning, was chasing a 6-1 deficit in the sixth inning.
Kanoa Iwasaki opened the frame on a single followed by D.J. Alao walking, Iwasaki scoring on a Tyler Smith RBI play, rightfield to firstbase.
Darren Leanio-Balagat walked with two away followed by Micah Layosa driving two runs home on an RBI single, Alao and Balagat crossing.
Layosa scored on an error generated by La‘akea Iseri-Carvalho followed by another walk as John Dumlao got first base to set the stage for Manibog’s two-RBI shot that pushed Dumlao across for the go-ahead run.
Earlier, West Kaua‘i lost little time establishing itself following its 6-2 loss, Thursday at the Lihu‘e County Park.
The WK blueshirts capitalized on Lihu‘e pitching in the first inning, scoring three runs on no hits.
Jaron Parongao, getting first on an error, scored on an errant pickoff attempt of Jaron Torres at firstbase, Torres advancing to third in the melee. He scored on a wild pitch, setting the stage of a Lihu‘e pitching change.
But the relief did not fare any better as the mound gave up walks to Rylan Naka‘ahiki Torres and hit batters Brock Tacata and Kalawaia Judd, Judd’s hit scoring Brock Ephan who earlier walked.
That forced another Lihu‘e pitching change before West Kaua‘i hit into a double play to end the inning with three runs on no hits and five Lihu‘e miscues.
Overall, Lihu‘e finished with seven runs on six hits while committing five errors. West Kaua‘i finished with six runs on just two hits and committed six errors, leaving five on base.
Starting Tuesday, the Protect Our Nation’s Youth league will host the Mustang Sectional playoffs at the Lihu‘e County Park.
The first pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. in the best-of-three series featuring the Lihu‘e Mustang All-Stars matching up against the West Kaua‘i Mustang All-Stars.
