1/1
Swipe or click to see more
ECLIPSESPORTSWIRE.COM
Eastside pitcher Kaimana Souza-Paaluhi got a hug from coach Charles McNicoll on Wednesday after getting the final out.
Select an option below to continue reading this premium story.
Already a Honolulu Star-Advertiser subscriber? Log in now to continue reading.
Eastside (Hawaii) became the only United States team to close out pool play in the Cal Ripken World Series undefeated with a 4-2 victory over Texas Tri-Counties on Wednesday in Aberdeen, Md.
The 12-and-under team from Oahu finished 4-0 in the American division and advanced to the semifinals of the U.S. bracket. Hawaii will face Clifton Park (N.Y.), which went 3-1 in the National division, at 2 p.m. Friday.
Eastside had already clinched a berth in the semifinals and played its entire roster for the second straight day.
Texas took an early 2-0 lead before Eastside tied it on one swing. Micah McNicoll hit a two-run homer in the top of the second and Eastside took the lead for good on an RBI groundout by Ryne Yamashiro in the third.
Zackary Kon added an important insurance run with an RBI single in the sixth to make it 4-2.
Texas Tri-Counties loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth but reliever Kaimana Souza-Paaluhi got a groundout to end the game and earn the save.
Michael Viola earned the win with one scoreless inning of relief.
Eastside outscored its opponents 38-12 in pool play.