Hana Hou takes the cake in slowpitch

On Tuesday, Nov. 30, the semi-final and the championship games were held for the County’s 35 & Over Softball League at Isenberg Park. The final three teams surviving the 7 team double elimination tournament were Pahio, Universal Delivery, and Hana Hou. The Semi-final game pitted Pahio vs. Universal Delivery in a winner advancing to the Championship game the loser settling in at third place. Universal Del defeated Pahio, 3-2 in the semis.

In the championship game, the first three innings went by with out anyone able to score due to excellent pitching and defense from both teams. However in the top of the 4th inning the Universal bats came alive with hits from David Carveiro, Kelly Robinson, Kent Tada, Blaine Nakano and a RBI sacrifice fly from John Shishido to score three big runs. Hana Hou countered with a run in the bottom of the 4th. At the end of the 4 complete innings, Score: Universal 3, Hana Hou 1

In the top of the 7 th inning, Hana Hou’s defense was able to get the fist two batters out, but hot hitting Blaine Nakano gave Universal life with his single to leftfield, making the game very interesting however this was short lived as the next batter grounded out to end the game and giving the Championship title to Hana Hou, 4-3. Hana Hou’s Al Aranio was the winning pitcher allowing 9 hits. Universal’s offense was led by Kelly Robinson 3-3 (3 singles), David Carveiro 2-3 (2 singles), Blaine Nakano 2-3 (2 singles, RBI) and John Shishido (RBIsacrifice fly). Hana Hou’s bats were led by Clinton Fujii 2-2 (2 singles, Sac fly, 2 RBI’s), Ross Kagawa 2-2 (2 singles), and Al Aranio 1-2 (single, RBI).

Mahalos goes out to all of the other teams (Braddah’s, Hard Knocks, Hamura’s and lkaika) for participating in this league. Thanks to Pat Viernes, League Coordinator, Dan Fort, League Field Manager and Umpire Coordinator Joe Bertoucci and his umpire crew for making this league a successful one.