crwspacificsouthwest-blog

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Pacific Southwest: Two Home Runs Lead to Opening Round Victory

Pacific Southwest got their 2015 Cal Ripken World Series started today on Nationals field with a 5-3 victory over a tough New England team.

Both teams took the field with a lot of energy, looking to get that first pivotal win in pool play. On the mound for Pacific Southwest was Kainoa Holt, who pitched a shut out first inning to keep the game tied at 0-0.

Player of the Game Maka Malama, got the offense going for Pacific Southwest in the top of the second inning with a deep home run to center in his first World Series at-bat. I asked Maka what it was like to get that first home run out of the way, “It was very exciting. I didn’t catch it that deep but it went over.”

Pacific Southwest continued to pour in the runs in the top of the second when Tyler Keanini hit an RBI triple off of the center field wall that extended the lead to 3-0.

New England responded accordingly in the bottom of the third inning when Josh Morissette hit a clutch RBI double that tied the game at 3-3.

Maka Malama was not done yet, and hit his second home run of the game over the right field wall in the top of the fourth inning. His second dinger set the record for most home runs hit in a game and shifted the momentum back in Pacific Southwest’s favor.

With yet another shut out inning from Holt in the bottom of the fourth, Jayden Soriano took the mound for Pacific Southwest in the fifth inning. Soriano put on an impressive performance, striking out two of the three batters he faced and retiring the side. The score was locked at 4-3 going into the last inning.

In the top of the sixth, Pacific Southwest was able to build a two run cushion when Jayden Simpliciano put the ball in play, allowing the runner from third to score. Tyler Keanini took the mound in the bottom of the sixth and struck out two batters to earn a save and Pacific Southwest’s first win 5-3 over New England.

I asked manager Daryl Kitagawa what he took away from his teams opening win, “We were very fortunate to come out on top today, it was a very tough win.”

Looking forward to his team’s next game against Maryland, Daryl said, “I told the players to relax, it seemed like they played pretty tentative today, so we told them to settle down and play like they did in the regional.”

Pacific Southwest will have the day off tomorrow and face Team Maryland on Monday 8:00PM under the lights at Cal Sr’s Yard.

Follow Pacific Southwest’s World Series journey @CRWS_PacificSW. 

Watch the post game press conference with coach Daryl Kitagawa and Player of the Game Maka Malama below: 

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Pacific SW drops game to Southeast in semifinal loss

Team Pacific Southwest was unfortunately unable to pull out a victory, dropping their game today 4-1 to the West Raleigh All-Stars. Pacific Southwest finished 3-2 overall in this year’s Cal Ripken World Series and will take home with them many memories that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

Head coach Matt Gamble said he “enjoyed working with this team” and that they are “a special group of guys.” He also commented on how appreciative he was of the entire experience and everyone who was able to help out along the way.

Vince Rangel said he, “enjoyed meeting and playing against all the other teams in the tournament” and Matt Aguirre said he “was proud of the way our guys played and just really enjoyed this entire event.”

This game recap is brought to you from the @ATT Media Center.

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Team Pacific SW: Getting Started in Aberdeen

Team Pacific Southwest will begin their Cal Ripken World Series tonight against the perennial contenders in Team New England at Cal Sr’s Yard. The team is made up of All-Stars from the states of Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Hawaii and California and will look to make their mark in this year’s World Series. Last year as 11 year olds they won their State tournament in Bakersfield, CA but fell just one win short of winning their Regional tournament to advance to Aberdeen and the Cal Ripken World Series. This year however the team is here and seems to have a certain confidence about them.

Head coach Gavin Gamble and his Hanford All-Stars arrived in Aberdeen and faced the media for the first time in a brief press conference yesterday. The group handled all the questions well and seem to be enjoying themselves so far here at the Ripken Experience -- Powered by Under Armour. The Hanford All-Stars are a defensively sound team who can “hit with anyone in this tournament.” The Hanford All-Stars may not be the largest or most intimidating team in this tournament, but they know their identity and play that to their advantage. This is a team that can go under the radar because they won’t hit a lot of homeruns, but they have a deep chemistry amongst them that dates back to when some of these kids played together as 8 year olds. Team Pacific Southwest will play tonight, August 9th at 5:30 p.m. at Cal Sr’s Yard.

For scores, highlights and recaps, follow @CRWS_PacificSW or visit www.ripkenbaseball.com/world_series.

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TEAM PACIFIC SW: keeps the bats hott and scoreboard hotter in an 8-4 victory over Maryland. 

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PACIFIC SOUTHWEST dominates in game one of the series, as they move up in the winners pool of the #CRWS

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Opening Ceremonies and skills competition gets team Pacific Southwest heated up and ready to play ball in this weeks series 

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PACIFIC SOUTHWEST: A day at Under Armour Headquarters

Quite the eventful evening at the Under Armour headquarters here in Baltimore. We're just getting headed up! 

Team Pacific Southwest lines up to head into orientation! 

A little team work goes a long way, even if it's only putting a microphone on!

Team Pacific Southwest, walking in wearing all purple and departs rocking green. 

Team Pacific Southwest gathers with members of Under Armour and Babe Ruth Baseball 

    Check back Friday Morning for a Feature video on Orientation at Under Armour!

Dont forget to follow Team @CRWS_PacificSW on Twitter!