Summer season journey ends for Central East Maui 50/70 Hawaiʻi Champions

The Central East Maui 50/70 State of Hawaiʻi Championship team had their playoff run come to sudden end Wednesday night with a 4-0 loss to Southern California during a semifinal game at the West Region Tournament in Nogales, Arizona. They were just two wins away from a ticket to the World Series,

Southern California starting pitcher Landon Miller struck out 13 Maui hitters and walked just two. Maui managed five hits, but runners were stranded at third base in three different innings.

Post-game, manager Steve Leis said, “We had some chances to keep up with the scoreboard but couldn’t come up with any key hits or breaks. Scripps LL jumped out to the lead and held together when we did manage to threaten to score. This was a tough loss for our ball club — we are so proud of the hard work the players and coaches have put in the last two months. We are always mindful of the opportunities that the game of baseball provides down the road. We wish them the best in their future baseball careers and that they make good decisions on and off the field always.

“The Maui team represented our home and the State of Hawaiʻi well and shared the aloha with many new friends made in the great baseball town of Nogales, Arizona. Well done Maui All-Stars!”

The Maui boys won their quarterfinal game 7-2 on Tuesday, July 23 against Arizona. They ended their tournament run with a 4:2 record.