KONA—Hawaii Stevedores, representing the Longshore Division, beat Team Kauai, Kauai Division’s all-star team to win the ILWU 28th Annual Slow-Pitch Softball Tournament. The tournament was hosted by the Hawaii Division and played at the Kona Old Airport Ball Park on Saturday, September 28, 2013.
The first semi-final game, between Hawaii Stevedores and Hawaii Division’s Fairmont Orchid started off with a bang and continued for seven innings. The 21 runs that Fairmont Orchid scored was not enough as Hawaii Stevedores scored 25 in the slugfest.
The second semi-final game between Team Kauai and Oahu Division Champion Pepsi was a lopsided win for Kauai, 20-3.
In the consolation game between Fairmont Orchid and Pepsi, Fairmont Orchid scored first and continued to score. Pepsi struggled to score four runs in a losing effort as the game was called after five innings because of the “ten-run rule.” The score was 14-4.
The championship game was a face-off between Hawaii Stevedores and Team Kauai. In the earlier games, Hawaii Stevedores tallied 25 runs against Fairmont Orchid and Team Kauai tallied 20 runs against Pepsi. Would the championship game be a slugfest or would it be a defensive struggle? The two teams battled back-and-forth in every inning, finally ending with Hawaii Stevedores on top, 12-10.
The tournament and awards luncheon were organized by Hawaii Division Sports Coordinator Corinna Salmo. Division Director Elmer Gorospe Sr., Business Agents Delbert DeRego, Greg Gauthier, George Martin, and Francine Molina, Organizer Colleen Antonio and Erwin Molina assisted in preparing the food for the luncheon.
Individual Awards
1. Most Outstanding Player: Keane Valbuena - Longshore Division
2. Batting Average: Keane Valbuena - Longshore Division
3. Most RBI’s: Teddy Higashi - Kauai Division
4. Most Home Runs: Titus Hori - Kauai Division
5. Most Runs: Cameron Tabiolo - Hawaii Division
6. Most Hits: Kalani Doo - Longshore Division
7. Winning Pitcher: John “Woody” Wood - Longshore Division
All-Tournament Team
1. Keane Valbuena - Longshore Division
2. Daniel Higashi - Kauai Division
3. Sam Dias Jr. - Kauai Division
4. Reeve Cazimero - Hawaii Division
5. Danny Matsunaga - Longshore Division
6. Richard Ah Yat - Longshore Division
7. Kalani Doo - Longshore Division
8. Shane Arakaki - Oahu Division
9. Kevin Cesar - Longshore Division
10.Devin Joaquin - Hawaii Division
11.Titus Hory - Kauai Division
Members of the All-Tournament Team were: (l-r) Keane Valbuena, Richard Ah Yat, Danny Matsunaga, Shane Arakaki, Daniel Higashi, Kevin Cesar, Kalani Doo, Titus Hory, John Wood, Sam Dias Jr., and Devin Joaquin. Not pictured: Reeve Cazimero.
State Champions: Hawaii Stevedores.
Coach: Brian Gonzaga Co-Coach: John Wood
Runner-up: Team Kauai.
Coach: Roy Costa
Third Place: Fairmont Orchid.
Coach: Aaron Perez
Sportsmanship Award: Pepsi.
Coach: Blaine Kahelewai Co-Coach: Gaylen Teraoka
