KAPA‘A — Kawaihau Community Little League Majors All Star pitcher Pierce Rosario went the distance, Monday to lead the purpleshirts to an 8-2 win over the Central Maui East Majors during the Hawai‘i Little League State Majors Tournament contested at the Main Diamond in the Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Park.
Rosario squeezed out 85 pitches against Central Maui, allowing four hits, while walking four batters and striking out four during the six innings where Maui’s two runs came on Kawaihau passed balls in the third inning.
On the offensive side of the cage, Kawaihau led with a pair of homeruns, including a three-run shot by Makali‘i Chong in the second inning when Kawaihau scored five runs, and two-run shot in the sixth inning by Kaleb Panui.
Overall, Kawaihau finished with eight runs on six hits. Following the homeruns, Kawaihau got hits from Isaiah Poloa, Drake Javier, Ashton Leanio-Balagat.
Central Maui’s Kai Watanabe, starting as catcher and later relieving starting pitcher Kaimiike Kamoku, topped the Maui bats with a pair of singles. Zaiyah Barrozo singled, along with Zion McGuire.
Earlier in games played Sunday at the Main Diamond, Honolulu was a 9-2 winner over Central Maui, and Kawaihau prevailed over Pearl City, 8-3.
The championship game between Honolulu and host Kawaihau starts at 10 a.m., Tuesday. If a second contest is needed, it is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. at the Main Diamond.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
