The West Zone Champions, Hilo, Hi (USA) defeated Houston, TX (USA) to keep their spot in the 2019 Pony-13 World Series. Hilo exploded for five runs in the third inning and four runs in the fourth to escape with the 11-1 victory.

Hilo stormed out of the gates with two quick runs in the first inning. Bubu Kawelu got things going with a double, then Journey Leialoha drew a walk in the next at-bat. 

Kawelu and Leialoha attempted a double-steal, and Houston’s catcher overthrew the throw out to second. The erred throw allowed Kawelu to score, then another bad throw gave Leialoha the passage to home. There was a play at the plate but Leialoha was ruled safe and Hilo took the 2-0 lead after one.

Houston responded in the next half inning, but it was only a single run. Jonathan Neel brought in Darren Dyson for the second inning run. The run put Houston behind 2-1, but Hilo wasn’t done scoring yet.

Hilo went off for five runs in the third inning. Dominic Christensen and Isaiah Justo each brought in a run; Legend Lancaster brought in two. Lancaster later scored on an error and Hilo saw their lead quickly balloon to six at 7-1.

The five run third inning gave Hilo all the breathing room they needed for the rest of the game. Shane Sale-Silva and Christensen both hit RBI doubles in the fourth inning. Justo tripled later on in the inning to bring in Sale-Silva, then Liawai Correa scored on an error.

Correa’s run made it 11-1 heading into the fifth. Houston got nothing going, and the game was called after the fifth due to the mercy rule.

Hilo’s Dominic Christensen went 2-for2 with two RBIs and two runs scored for Hilo. Christensen was one of four Hilo players to score two runs in the ballgame.

Starting pitcher Legend Lancaster had a solid outing for Hilo. Lancaster went four innings, only giving up one hit and striking out four batters.