Haleiwa’s John John Florence is the lone Hawaii surfer left after Day 2 of the Billabong Pro Tahiti. He clinched Heat 7 in Round 3 with a score of 18.70 over Nat Young’s 15.23 in Teauhupo’o on Saturday. Florence will face Conner Coffin and Julian Wilson in Round 4.
Kauai’s Sebastian Zietz defeated Brazil’s Miguel Pupo in Round 2, but fell to Kolohe Andino by 0.4 points in the following round. Honolulu’s Ezekiel Lau lost to Wiggolly Dantas in the final heat of Round 2 with a score of 8.03 to 12.57.
Thunder Baseball rolls in Virginia
Brayden Hiraki allowed two hits in four innings to lead the Thunder Baseball team in a 12-2 win over Maplewood (Minn.) at the 2017 Babe Ruth 14U in Glen Allen, Va., on Saturday. The game ended in five innings due to the mercy rule.
Jayton Pang and Michael Yamaguchi led the offense with two hits each. Thunder Baseball (2-0) will face Brazoria, Texas, at 10 a.m. Hawaii time today.
>> Pearl City KRU fell to West Raleigh (N.C.) 5-3 in the championship of the Cal Ripken 10U World Series in Hammond, Ind., on Saturday. KRU (5-1) spotted West Raleigh a 5-0 lead after three and a half innings, and rebounded with a three-run rally in the bottom of the fourth. The squad also loaded the bases in the fifth inning, but was unable to score.
Four KRU players were named to the All-World Series team. They were Shaveh Sarono, Jace Noda, Jayden Montero and Noah Bernal, who was also named World Series Batting Champion. Logan Honma and Jesse Villalon were named to the All-World Series Defensive Team.
Matlin to speak at Honolulu QB Club
University of Hawaii athletic director David Matlin will speak at the Honolulu Quarterback Club luncheon on Monday. Matlin was hired in 2015 and has already hired three head coaches. They are Eran Ganot (men’s basketball), Nick Rolovich (football), and Robyn Ah Mow-Santos (women’s volleyball). He has an extensive history with the university; he worked as the UH ticket office information officer in the 1990s, organized the Midnight Ohana basketball kickoff, computerized the UH ticket office, and bought the Hawaii Bowl from Jim Donovan.
Matlin will discuss his vision of UH athletics and take questions from attendees. The luncheon will start at 11:30 a.m. at Maple Garden Restaurant. Cost is $16 per person.