ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - With a week of great baseball, the 10U Pacific Southwest Regional Tournament came to a close with Hawaii Manoa beating Laguna 13-4 to advance to the Cal Ripken World Series.

The championship game took place on Saturday, July 19 at noon after each of the 10 participating teams had competed in four games of pool play. Laguna had ended up being 4-0 after the week, securing the No. 1 seed headed into Saturday, while Hawaii Manoa went 3-1, securing the No. 2 seed. Manoa’s only loss came from Laguna on the third day of the tournament, July 16.  

Manoa had an edge going into the championship game, wanting to avenge its only loss to the team that beat them just days before. Playing solid defense plus consistent offense allowed Manoa to quickly gain an 11-4 lead headed into the fourth inning. 

Dawnielle Meier, the president of Laguna Youth Baseball, stands with the Laguna All-Stars.

           

Although Laguna was down, they did not quit, fighting until the last out of the game.        

“There’s nothing to be sad about. We fought as hard as we could,” stated Dawnielle Meier, the president of Laguna Youth Baseball. Although the outcome was not what Laguna had wanted, they showed a level of professionalism throughout the tournament as an organization. They offered well-maintained fields and shade for families as well as a full concession stand for food and drinks.                

“We had a fantastic time running the regional tournament, and this is kind of what it’s all about, bringing everybody together,” stated Meier.        

Teams not just from California but from surrounding states were able to compete and give it their all. Being able to reach this tournament is an accomplishment in itself to represent their states and communities.         

Plus, putting in countless hours of practice and traveling to new places to face new teams is difficult.

 

The Hawaii Manoa players each receive a 10-U Championship Ring.

“I’m proud that they fought this far, and I think no matter what happens we should be proud of these boys,” Meier said after the tournament.         

Hawaii Manoa advances to play in the 10U Cal Ripken World Series. They will travel to Vincennes, Indiana, to play Aug. 7-16. There they will compete against other regional champions from across the nation, as well teams from out of the country.         

Teams that had played against Hawaii Manoa throughout each tournament are now going to watch and support the team as it continues to play. Manoa is now not just representing the state of Hawaii; it is representing the entire Pacific Southwest region.

 

Hawaii Manoa rushes the mound after the last out of the game.