HONOLULU—Under the bright sun and brisk trade winds, the ILWU 30th Annual Slow-Pitch Softball Tournament was played on Saturday, October 3, 2015. The tournament was hosted by the Oahu Division and played at the Salt Lake District Park.

The first semi-final game, began with Fairmont Orchid, representing Hawaii Division, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning. Oahu Division’s representative Poola, made up of members of McCabe, Hamilton & Renny Co., came back in the bottom of the inning to take the lead, scoring three runs. Poola continued to lead until the bottom of the third inning when Fairmont Orchid scored six runs to regain the lead. Fairmont Orchid continued to pad their lead the rest of the game. Despite a furious rally in the bottom of the sixth inning, where Poola pushed across seven runs, Poola still came up short 19-17. Fairmont Orchid’s and tournament “Most Outstanding Player,” Joby Amaral was a perfect 4-4 with four runs batted in (RBI) and two home runs (HR). Cameron Tabiolo contributed with a HR for Fairmont Orchid. Poola’s Alvis Satele had four RBIs and a HR and Matthew Ramie had three RBIs and a HR for Poola.

The second semi-final game featured two of the greatest rallies one will ever experience in a softball game. Grand Hyatt Kauai, representing Kauai Division started the game by scoring two runs in the top of the first inning. Maui Division’s representative, “Team Maui” pushed across four runs in their half of the inning to take the lead, 4-2. Despite trailing from the beginning, Grand Hyatt Kauai was able to score nine runs in their half of the seventh inning and build their lead to two runs, leading 12-10. Entering the bottom of the seventh inning and with their final at-bats, Team Maui caught fire and pushed across ten runs to finish off Kauai 20-12. Team Maui’s Jordan Kahalekai-Bermoy had four hits, five RBIs and a HR, Kawehi Ko had three RBIs and a HR and Logan Kanamu had three RBIs. Roy Costa had three RBIs for Grand Hyatt Kauai.

The consolation game, between McCabe and Grand Hyatt Kauai, was a blow-out, ending in five innings when the 10-run rule was invoked. Poola used a 22-hit barrage and four home runs to win 19-6. The game was a big contrast as compared to the nail-biter in last year’s consolation game where Grand Hyatt Kauai was able to squeeze by 9-7. Poola’s Alvis Satele, Chad Rogers, Metthew Ramie and Clyde Carvalho hit a HR. Schyler Arakaki hit a HR for Grand Hyatt Kauai.

Team Maui scoring a run in the top of thefirst inning. With a tremendous defense Team Maui stymied Fairmont Orchids’ bats by turning a double play and a forced out in the bottom of the first inning. The momentum and situation quickly changed as Team Maui didn’t score again until the fourth inning. Meanwhile, Fairmont Orchid had back-to-back five-run innings in the third and fourth innings to lead 12-3. Team Maui could only muster two more runs and the game was called after the sixth inning when the 10-run rule was invoked, ending the game at 16-5. Fairmont Orchid’s Joby Amaral had three RBIs and a HR and Chase Cazimero had three RBIs for Fairmont Orchid.

“This was a hitter’s tournament,” said State Sports Coordinator Brian Tanaka. “Whoever hit consistently and didn’t make errors won.” The tournament and awards luncheon were organized by Brian Tanaka, Oahu Division Sports Coordinator Jose Miramontes and Business Agent Paris Fernandez. Hawaii Division Sports Coordinator Corinna Salmo and Maui Division Sports Coordinator Claro Romero were present to assist their teams.

Hawaii State Slow-Pitch Softball Tournament Championship Team – Fairmont Orchid (l-r): Back: Aaron Perez, Joby Amaral, Cameron Tabiolo, Chase Cazimero , Devin Joaquin, Coach: Blayne Crabbe. Front: Sheldon Emeliano, Reyn Matsu, Ian Caravalho, Torry Caravalho, Reeve Cazimero

Third Place Team Award – McCabe, Hamilton & Renny Co., Poola.

Runner-up Team Award – Team Maui.

Sportsmanship Team Award – Grand Hyatt Kauai.