Big Island RBI Softball Falls Twice On Opening Day

Big Island RBI, representing the Boys and Girls Club of the Big Island, had a tough start to the opening day of the RBI Softball World Series in Minnesota, dropping their first two games of divisional play Tuesday.

The West Region champions opened play at the Dunning Sports Complex with a loss to Hoboken (NJ) RBI by the score of 4-2. With the game tied at two in the top of the fourth inning, Alize Sarmiento knocked a single through into center field, scoring the go-ahead runs to give Hoboken the win in the opening game of the tournament.

Big Island RBI’s bats were kept silent in game two of the day’s doubleheader. Harrisburg (PA) RBI’s Lexus Allen tossed a no-hitter, striking out nine batters while walking five in their 6-0 win over the Big Island’s finest.

Despite the tough day at the plate, the Big Island squad was still in it thanks to a gritty performance in the pitcher’s circle from Chelsea Camello, who held Harrisburg to two runs through the first five innings of play. The sixth inning would be a different story, as the Pennsylvania squad put up four runs to break the game open and give Allen enough breathing room to comfortably finish the game out.

Harrisburg is the leader in the American League Central division with a 2-0 record, followed by Hoboken and Cleveland (OH) at 1-1. Big Island RBI is at the bottom at 0-2 with four more games left to play.

Play continues Wednesday morning to a potential disadvantage to the Hawai`i squad, as they will be taking the field at 5:30 a.m. Hawai`i time, 10:30 a.m. in Minnesota, for a rematch against Harrisburg. That game is followed by a meeting with Cleveland at 8:30 a.m. Hawai`i time, 1:30 p.m. Central.

Game One

Hoboken (NJ) RBI 101 200 0 – 4 8 3

Big Island RBI 011 000 0 – 2 6 1

Game Two

Big Island RBI 000 000 0 – 0 0 1

Harrisburg (PA) RBI 101 004 x – 6 8 0