Central Maui clinches state title

KAPAA — Central Maui Majors All Stars allowed just one hit and pushed 11 runs across the plate in the third inning to clinch the Hawaii Little League state championship with a 21-1 win over the Kaneohe Majors All Stars on Tuesday morning at the Main Diamond in Kapaa.

Levi Maddela threw a complete-game and allowed just one hit, a home run by Makamae Dupont in the third frame. He struck out 10 and walked one in the game which was shortened to four innings by the 10-run ruling.

Maui jumped on the title game early, churning out five runs on five hits. The Central Valley Isle all stars added a pair of runs in the second and cranked out 11 runs in the third inning behind six hits, closing out the match with three runs on two hits in the fourth inning. Overall, Central Maui had on 16 hits.

“No run lead is big enough,” said Maui coach Jamie Aloy. “I’ve seen teams with 10-run leads drop games. This is just one little step toward a bigger goal.”

Danelle Daniels was three-for-four for Maui, cranking out a double and two singles including a bunt single with one away to load the bases in the third inning. Daniels crossed for the first time in the third on a 2-RBI single from Maddela. Daniels’ second hit in the inning, an RBI single, pushed Davin Lewis, designated hitter for Andrew Teruya, across the plate.

Makani Honokaupo doubled and scored three times after being walked twice and finding first on a Kaneohe error.

Evan Wellerstien finished with three singles along with Dylan Kokubun, and Maddela finished with a pair of singles to round out the Maui hitting leaders.

The Central Maui Majors All Stars next head to the Little League West Regionals which will start Aug. 6 in San Bernardino, California.

“Maui should be a good representative Hawaii,” said Kennison Nagahisa, president of the host Kawaihau Community Little League. “Their lineup is relentless. They can hit the ball and they’re quick.”