It was homecoming on Friday for several former Pearl City Chargers baseball players who have suited up this summer to play for Waipahu in the Hawaii American Legion 19 and under baseball league. It was a successful homecoming as Waipahu beat Pearl City 4-1 on the Chargers home field.
Isaac Shim, Troy Barboza Scanlan, Gage Mueller, Reid Akau, Kai Kealoha, Kory Nakamura and Austin Bolosan are former Chargers who play for Waipahu. They are also teammates from the 2011 Pearl City Chargers squad that captured the 2011 HHSAA State Baseball Championship Title with a 4-3 victory over Moanalua.
Former and current Chargers dominated the mound for both Waipahu and Pearl City on Friday. Waipahu sent former Charger teammates, Gage Mueller, Isaac Shim and Reid Akau to the hill. Dane Kaneshiro, Lane Asuncion and Kamalu Neal took care of business for Pearl City. The Pearl City trio are being groomed as the future of the Chargers pitching rotation for 2013.
Recent 2012 Pearl City High School graduate Troy Barboza Scanlan had a big game for Waipahu driving in half of Waipahu's runs on a couple hard hit singles. Scanlan drove in the ball game's first run in the top of the second inning. Waipahu scored their second run of the inning after squeezing home a runner from third base.
In the top of the fifth inning, lead off batter Kai Kealoha drilled a double to center field to get into scoring position. Kealoha advanced to third base on a steal and would later score on a base hit that put Waipahu up 3-0.
Scanlan hit his second RBI single in the top of the sixth inning that gave Waipahu a comfortable 4-0 lead.
Matt Tsutomi scored Pearl City's only run in the bottom of the seventh inning from third base on a fielding error in right field.
Pearl City hits the diamond on Sunday, June 24 to face Leilehua at Hans L 'Orange Park in Waipahu. First pitch is set for 9:00am.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Waipahu scores their first run of the ball game on Troy Barboza Scanlan's RBI single in the top of the second inning.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Troy Barboza Scanlan beats the throw and tag at second base in the top of the second inning. Pearl City shortstop Matt Tsutomi pictured attempting to make the play.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Isaac Shim pictured in relief for the Waipahu. Shim is a former all state player and 2011 HHSAA State Championship Tournament Co-MVP along with former teammate Chevas Numata. The Chargers won the HHSAA State Baseball Championship Title in 2011.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Pearl City Chargers Head Coach Mitch Yamato gets a good look at his former player and current Waipahu pitcher Isaac Shim who played an integral role in leading the Chargers to multiple OIA Championships as well as the 2011 HHSAA State Championship. Shim is currently playing baseball at the College of Southern Nevada (CSN) in Las Vegas with former Charger teammate Chevas Numata.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Pearl City's Kamalu Neal pictured in relief in the top of the seventh inning. Neal played a big role in the Chargers success in 2012 from the mound and behind the plate and will be counted on as a team leader in 2013.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Matt Tsutomi scored Pearl City's only run from third base in the bottom of the seventh inning.