Times Observer Photo by Matt Spielman Hawaii Kai, Hawaii starting pitcher Alika Ahu delivers to the plate during the first inning against West Fargo, North Dakota during Game 9 of the Babe Ruth 13-year-old World Series on Monday at Diethrick Park in Jamestown, N.Y.

JAMESTOWN, N.Y. — After cutting the Hawaii Kai, Hawaii (1-1) lead in half, to trail 4-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning, it appeared that the West Fargo, North Dakota (0-2) team was poised for a comeback.

However, in the top of the seventh inning, the wheels fell off for the Midwest Plains champions, as Hawaii Kai scored 11 runs to give the Pacific Southwest champions an insurmountable 15-2 lead and eventual victory in Game 9 of the 2021 Babe Ruth 13-year-old World Series on Monday at Diethrick Park.

Hawaii’s seventh inning started off with a four-pitch walk to DJ Kauahi before a single from JJ Shinagawa and a walk to Hayzen Inouye loaded the bases. Ace Arizumi then got the first RBI of the inning as he walked again with West Fargo’s pitcher struggling to find the strike zone. Caleb Hamasaki then got in on the action with a line-drive single to left field, making it 6-2. Espn Bennett continued to pile it on with a two-run single up the middle, putting the lead up to 8-2.

With an open base, Jaxson Cadiz walked to load the bases, making him the seventh consecutive batter to reach base to start the inning.

Just when it seemed things couldn’t get worse for West Fargo, they did. After recording its first out of the inning on a lineout to second base, while trying to turn a double play, the second baseman overthrew first base to score Hamasaki, making it 9-2.

Hawaii Kai continued to capitalize on West Fargo, which looked defeated halfway through the inning.

A double play finally stopped the scoring at 15-2.

In the bottom half of the seventh, West Fargo was set down with ease, only managing a single in four at-bats.

Before the seventh inning, it was a much closer game with each side struggling to knock home baserunners. The first taste of home plate came in the fourth inning, with Shinagawa leading off with a single for Hawaii Kai. Shinagawa then stole second and later was moved to third with a sacrifice bunt by Inouye. Shinagawa scored the first run on an RBI single from Arizumi.

Hawaii Kai added two more runs in the inning with a little help from West Fargo errors. Arizumi scored on an error from the catcher making a poor throw back to the pitcher and Bennett made it home on a wild pitch to make it 3-0.

West Fargo’s best chances came in the sixth inning where it scored its only runs. Ian Skari led off the inning with a walk and stole second before a balk moved him to third. Brody Medina followed suit with another walk and Skari scored on a double steal. Austin Ohleen added to the comeback effort with a single to right field to make it 4-2. After the two runs to start the inning, that was all West Fargo could muster.

Espn Bennett was the Ron Tellefsen Player of the Game for Hawaii Kai going 4-for-4, scoring two runs and picking up two RBIs. Shinagawa went 3-for-5 scoring two runs and knocking in two more, and Arizumi finished 2-for-3 with three runs scored and three RBIs. Alika Ahu earned the win on the mound, surrendering just three hits.

West Fargo was led by Austin Ohleen going 2-for-3 with the only RBI. Kaisen Nordick received Player of the Game honors, going 1-for-4. Noah Betker took the loss for West Fargo giving up seven hits and three earned runs.

West Fargo will look to get its first win in the American Division on Tuesday when it plays the Ohio Valley champions, Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Hawaii Kai will look to improve to 2-1 in its game Tuesday against Southwest Regional champions, Tallassee, Alabama.