WAILUKU—Sunny skies and high winds made for hot, dusty playing conditions at Keopuolani Park in Wailuku, site of the 50th ILWU Men’s Fast Pitch Tournament.

Four teams participated this year: the Islanders from Maui Division, Mauna Lani from Hawaii Division, Weyerhaeuser from Oahu Division, and Kauai Coffee from Kauai Division.

The first game between Maui and Oahu was the most exciting of the tournament. Oahu had trouble hitting in the first three innings, and at the bottom of the third Maui led 12-3. It looked like an easy win for the Maui team, which was pitching and hitting well and playing topnotch defense. However, Oahu never gave up and at the top of the sixth inning began a rally led by Nick Paulos that pushed them ahead of Maui by two runs. Although Maui came back to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth, Oahu once again took the lead and held it throughout the seventh inning. Final score: Maui 16, Oahu 17

The second game of the tournament was played between Hawaii and reigning champions Kauai. Kauai suffered a blow just prior to the game when ace pitcher Freddy Medeiros was injured while warming up, but if they were rattled they didn’t show it. Kauai racked up six runs during their first at bat, leading 6-0 after one inning. Kauai continued to lead over the next few innings, but the persistent Hawaii team kept them from running away with the game. Hawaii slowly chipped away at Kauai’s lead—until the bottom of the fifth inning. Kauai was at bat; their first two batters struck out. Then Darrel Borrero stepped up to the plate and smashed a home run to right center, followed by a triple by Wendall Nonaka and base hits by Leonard Vegas, David Pereirra, and Sam Dias. In the end, the game was called due to the 10-run rule with Kauai on top by a score of 17-6.

The consolation game played between Hawaii and Maui was dominated by the team from Mauna Lani. Maui seemed to have a little trouble with their pitching—or maybe Hawaii bats were just hot. In the end, the Big Island team won easily with consistent hitting and strong defense. The final score was 14-0.

The championship game started with Oahu up to bat first, and they were unable to score. Kauai quickly took the lead 6-0 and kept extending it over the course of four long innings. By the bottom of the fourth Kauai led 24-1, and although Oahu made a valiant effort at their last turn at bat—earning five runs—the game ended with Kauai the undisputed champions by a score of 24-6.

After the games team members and their families gathered at the ILWU union hall in Wailuku for a buffet lunch and awards prepared by tournament committee members Douglas Cabading, Vicki Cabading, Sports Coordinator Delbert DeRego and Business Agent Teddy Espeleta.

Mahalo to all the players and to Maui Division for making this ILWU sports program milestone such a success. ◆

Maui Division’s Islanders team from Maui Pineapple Company took fourth place.

ILWU Fast Pitch tournament champs Kauai Coffee have won this tournament for the last seven times in row. Pitcher Darrel Borrero (standing, right) was the tournament Most Valuable Player.

Oahu Division’s Weyerhaeuser team took second place in the tournament.

The Big Island’s Mauna Lani team placed third.