The Hawaii Kai Elite 13U baseball team is headed to the Babe Ruth World Series, defeating the Elite Warriors 4-3 in a winner-take-all championship game on Saturday in Fallon, Nev.
After dropping the first game of the championship 2-1, Hawaii Kai broke a 3-all tie in the seventh inning on an RBI double by Hudson Nishina in the top of the frame. The Elite Warriors threatened in the bottom of the inning, but Colton Gallano entered in relief and recorded the team’s final out to clinch the win.
Nishina finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs to lead the offense. Alika Ahu pitched 62⁄3 innings with six strikeouts to earn the win.
Hawaii Kai’s DJ Kauahi was named to the All-Tournament team and Ahu earned the tournament MVP.
Hawaii Kai Elite advances to the 13u Babe Ruth World Series in Jamestown, N.Y., starting on Aug. 14.
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At Fallon, Nev.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Game 1
Elite Warriors 2, Hawaii Kai Elite 1
W — Reysen Benigno. SV — Luke Tuasivi.
Leading Hitters—Elite Warriors: CJ Taira 2-4, RBI; Bunz Banis 2B, RBI. Hawaii Kai Elite: DJ Kauahi 2-3
Game 2
Hawaii Kai Elite 4, Elite Warriors 3
W — Alika Ahu. SV — Colton Gallona.
Leading Hitters—Hawaii Kai Elite: Bubu Sarono 2-4, run; Alika Ahu 2-3, run, RBI; Hudson Nishina 2-3, 2B, 3 RBI. Elite Warriors: Bunz Banis 2-3, run, HR, 2 RBI; Fabian Guanio 2-3, run, 2B.
