Kawaihau Majors All Stars suffer second loss, Monday

MAUI — For the Kawaihau Community Little League Majors All Stars, the trip to the Little League World Series came to an end, Monday after Central East Maui LL came from behind to take a 6-5 win over the boys coached by Alan Melchor.

This was the team’s second loss following defeat at the hands of the Honolulu LL who advanced to the state tournament championship game with the Sunday win.

With the Monday win, Central East Maui, victorious over the Hilo LL, Sunday, fills in the slots of the championship game that will unwrap, Tuesday morning at Kalama Park in Kihei, Maui.

Kawaihau capitalized on Central pitcher Makana Cayan who gave up five runs on four hits in the first two innings before being relieved by Blaze Kahale who went for the distance, giving up no runs, three hits while whiffing six Kawaihau hitters and walking two. He also hit one batter. During Cayan’s tenure on the hill, he struck out five Kawaihau hitters, and walked one.

Kaitin Mundon and Colten Dela Cruz shared the loss for Kawaihau on the mound with each hurler giving up three runs apiece. Mundon allowed three hits and struck out one Central batter while walking three and hitting two batters. Dela Cruz allowed five hits while striking out one, walking one, and hitting two batters.

Armed with a 5-3 lead entering the fifth frame, Kawaihau gave up three runs in the final two innings for the loss that came with Central outhitting Kawaihau, 8-7.

Kai Watanabe had the hot stick for Central Maui with a 3-for-4 showing, including a double and scoring three times. Jayson Kahakanu was 1-for-1 with a triple and scored once, and Koltyn Sergent was 2-for-2.

Brydon Salvador wielded the lumber for Kawaihau with a perfect 2-for-2 showing in the box with a pair of Runs Batted In. He also scored once.

Dela Cruz, picking up relief duty on the mound in the loss, smacked a two-bagger along with Kaiea Nishi. Both hitters also scored a run apiece.

The winner of the Hawai‘i Little League State Tournament advances to the Western Region Tournament that will contest Aug. 8-14 in San Bernardino, California.