Eastside improves to 2-0

Michael Viola recorded his fifth strikeout with the tying run on third base to end the top of the sixth inning and give the Eastside (Oahu) All-Stars a 9-8 victory over Charles County (Md.) on Monday in the Cal Ripken World Series in Aberdeen, Md.

Ryne Yamashiro homered and drove in three runs and Kaimana Souza-Paaluhi went 3-for-3 with two doubles, two runs and two RBIs for Eastside, which improved to 2-0 in pool play.

The game was delayed for more than an hour in the third inning due to heavy rainstorms that have plagued the tournament since it began on Saturday.

Charles County (2-1) had its opening game on Saturday halted midway through and had to finish it on Sunday. Its scheduled game on Sunday was moved to Monday and its game against Eastside was its second of the day.

Eastside trailed twice on Monday, but always had an answer.

Charles County took a 4-2 lead in the third, but a two-run double by Souza-Paaluhi in the bottom of the inning helped Hawaii retake the lead.

Maryland answered with four runs in the top of the fifth, but Eastside matched that again in the bottom of the fifth as Yamashiro scored the eventual winning run on a fielder’s choice.

Eastside is the only remaining undefeated team in its division. The top two teams advance to the United States semifinals on Friday.