Ewa advances to World Series final

The Ewa All-Stars youth baseball team defeated Chinese Taipei, 5-1, yesterday to advance to the PONY Bronco (ages 11-12) World Series in Monterey, Calif.

Chase Wago pitched a seven-inning complete game. Ian Kahaloa broke a scoreless tie by hitting a two-run homer in the fourth inning. Dorrien Hermosura and Wago also drove in runs.

Ewa Beach will play unbeaten Tamiami of Florida today 4 p.m. Hawaii time for the title.

Ewa Beach defeated Puerto Rico, 9-4, Monday to advance to the semifinals. The team, which advanced to Monterey by winning a regional in Whittier, Calif., is 5-0 so far in the World Series.

Kono eliminated in U.S. Amateur

Honolulu’s Stephanie Kono played even-par golf in her first-round match yesterday at the 110th U.S. Women’s Amateur. It wasn’t good enough.

Jessica Korda, a high school senior ranked ninth nationally among juniors, defeated Kono, 3 and 2, at Charlotte Country Club in North Carolina. The daughter of former pro tennis player Petr Korda never trailed.

Korda and Kono, a two-time All-American at UCLA, played together on this year’s winning U.S. Curtis Cup team.

"I was like, really, this kind of stinks," Korda told USGA.org about facing her teammate. "Steph played really well and it was a great match. It took me five holes until I got some kind of break. She’s just a really solid player and a great putter and I knew that coming in."

Chan in striking range

Lorens Chan is second and Alika Bell third going into today’s final round of the AJGA Junior at Wenatchee, in Washington. Chan, an ‘Iolani junior, shot yesterday’s best round — 4-under-par 68. He is at 5-under 139 for the tournament, four shots behind Canadian Zak Griffiths.

Bell, a Kamehameha graduate who starts his freshman year at San Francisco soon, is at 73–142.

Kailua’s Scott Hayashi (76) and Honolulu’s Brett Komoto (84) are tied for 53rd at 157. Marissa Suehiro is the only Hawaii girl playing and is 25th at 82–168.

The field has 72 boys and 27 girls, from 12 states and Canada.

At the AJGA Houston Junior, Honolulu’s Trey Kidd moved up to 39th after a second-round 75. At 153, he 13 shots out of first going into the final round.