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Oahu won the 2015 State AJA Baseball Championship Tournament by defeating Maui 11 to 3 and Hawaii Island 19 to 6 led by a historic record setting performance by the Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player Chevas Numata. The tournament was held on Saturday and Sunday, April 4 and 5, at Ichiro “Iron” Maehara Stadium in Wailuku, hosted by the Maui AJA Baseball League in typical neighbor island hospitality.
The tournament’s opening ceremonies were highlighted by Governor David Ige displaying his athletic prowess by throwing out the ceremonial 1st pitch from the top of the pitcher’s mound reflecting his youth baseball experience in the heralded Pearl City Little League. Governor Ige and Maui mayor Alan Arakawa gave speeches of encouragement for the perpetuation of AJA baseball tradition and culture.
Oahu, represented by Oahu AJA Baseball League Champion Waipahu and supplemented by players from other Oahu teams, was led by Tournament Most Outstanding Player (MOP) Chevas Numata, who swept the Batting Champion and Most RBIs awards. Numata, in a historic performance, set State Tournament records in Batting Average, Hits and RBI by collecting 10 hits in 12 at bats (0.8333 batting average) while driving in 11 runs. Numata’s MOP performance included 2 homeruns, 2 doubles and closing the Championship game by pitching the final inning. Chevas & dad Nathan “Homey” Numata (2000 MOP) became the 1st father – son MOP combination in the 80 year history of State AJA Baseball Tournament. Oahu captured its 21st State AJA Baseball Championship in the last 23 years.
In Sunday’s Championship game, Oahu jumped out to an early 4 run lead in the top of the 1st inning by sending 10 men to the plate. Maui, represented by the Maui AJA Baseball League’s Happy Hour team, countered by scoring 2 runs in the bottom of the 1st inning against Oahu starting pitcher Charles “Kale” Kaalekahi. Oahu continued its scoring with a run in the 4th inning on Numata’s RBI single), 3 runs in the 5th inning led by Numata’s 2 run homer and 3 runs in the 9th inning with a Numata RBI single. Oahu 3rd baseman Landon Nakata contributed 3 hits and 1st baseman Zach Kometani added 2 hits. Waipahu veterans and many times State Tournament participants Kaipo Paiva and Tevin Kobashigawa added hits in pinch hitting appearances. Oahu pitcher Kaalekahi won in his initial State Tournament game appearance by throwing 7 strong innings, striking out 9 Maui hitters while allowing 2 runs on 7 hits. Pearl City veteran Daven Hermosura chipped in with 1 scoreless inning. Maui was led by 2 hits from Joey Tam Ho. The Tournament saw pinch hitting appearances by Ke’alii Murray and his father, Jeff Murray, long time Maui veteran who has been participating in State Tournaments since the 1980s.
In the Sunday consolation game, Kauai defeated Hawaii 8 to 4. The Kauai AJA Baseball League, represented by the Kalaheo Farmers, was led by Micah Furtado’s 2 RBI as Travis Shigeta earned the win with 5 innings and 6 strikeouts. The Hawaii AJA Memorial Baseball League, represented by the Keaukaha Warriors, was led by Jordan Jinbo’s 2 hits.
On Saturday, Oahu routed Hawaii 19 to 6 to advance to the Championship game. Oahu jumped out to an early 5 run lead by sending 10 batters to the plate in the 1st inning. Oahu scored in 7 out of the 8 innings. Chevas Numata led the way with 6 hits out of 7 at bats with 7 RBI, including a 2 run homer and 2 doubles. Oahu catcher Zach Kometani contributed 3 hits with 2nd baseman Tyler Hanzawa adding 2 hits. Tyler Thornley led Hawaii with 4 hits while 2 hits were contributed by Alton Penrose, Warren Shikuma and Jordan Jinbo. Oahu AJA Baseball League’s Most Valuable Player pitcher Shaun Kiriu grinded through 5 innings to earn the win while allowing 5 runs on 10 hits and 4 strikeouts. Pitchers Jarvis Nohara, Cruz Hatanaka and Evan Yamamoto finished out the 9 inning game.
In the dramatic back and forth Tournament 1st game, pinch hitter Royce Fukuroku doubled in the bottom of the 9th inning to drive in the tying and winning runs as Maui defeated Kauai 9 to 8. Trailing 7 to 1 after 6 innings, Kauai scored 3 runs in the 7th inning on a 3 run homer by Jake Oketani and 4 runs in the top of the 9th inning to take the lead 8 to 7, only to see Maui rally to score 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th inning to win the game. Maui was led by 2 hits from Kyle Shimizu and Kalaika Kahoohalahala. Joey Castro earned the win in relief of Maui’s Most Valuable Player Kory Takamura. Kauai’s Travis Shigeta led the way with 3 hits while 2 hits each were contributed by Micah Furtado, Jordan Kamakea and Jake Oketani, including a home run.
Much mahalos to the Maui AJA Baseball League and their supporters for their neighbor island hospitality and a well-run 2015 tournament.
AJA Baseball now looks ahead to 2016 as the Hawaii AJA Memorial Baseball League invites all fans of AJA baseball to Francis Wong Stadium in Hilo for the 2016 State AJA Baseball Championship Tournament on April 9-10, 2016.