16u Polynesia team back in the swing, looking to repeat at International Challenge

By Kyle Koso
 
WESTMINSTER, Colo – Out of focus for a moment, the 16u Polynesia squad found the clarity it needed soon enough.
 
The defending age group champion of the International Challenge fell behind in its second game Friday at the Christopher Fields Complex, but the end result looked pretty familiar as the bats came alive to register an 11-3 victory over Israel. Couple with a 6-4 win over Central America, Polynesia is off to a strong start and will face Puerto Rico on Saturday, one last pool play game before the bracket fires up later that day.
 
Against Israel, the defending champs made early mistakes on the base paths, saw a ball go through a fielder’s legs, and in general seemed slow out of the gate in falling behind, 2-0. But a two-out solo home run from Makayla Pagampao reignited the squad’s confidence, and an eight-run outburst in the third inning essentially sealed the result.
 
“I try to stay calm in the batter’s box all the time and try to get some runs for the team, just get us on board,” Pagampao said. “The first home run, I wanted to get something on the board for us and get us believing. It means a lot for us, coming from a small island and not getting a lot of exposure. Getting us where we need to be is very important for all of us.”
 
Israel rode a two-out two-run homer from Galilee Nelson to take the lead in the top of the first inning and had runners on second and third before Polynesia doused the threat. In the bottom of the third, Polynesia loaded the bases with no outs, compelling a pitching change by Israel. 
 
But in bad news for the visitors, the top of the Polynesia order was ready to pounce. After a walk, Ori Mailo scalded a bases-emptying triple, a hit that got to and then through the first baseman before anyone could blink. Pagampao then launched another home run to plate three more runs.

“I wasn’t scared of anything. I knew what I had to do, which is drive the ball and get those runs in,” Mailo said. “We did get off to a slow start, but this is a talented and special team. We are very confident, and I’m very confident with all the girls we have here.”
 
Adina Rosen drove in a run for Israel in the fourth, but Polynesia countered with two more runs in the frame. Mailo chipped in with a run-scoring groundout, as did Taylor Faga.
 
“We wanted to rotate the girls and make sure everyone was getting some playing time. Eventually, we got people where they needed to be and the bats started rolling,” said Polynesia coach and team coordinator Josh Danz. “Makayla has a lot of power in her bat, and she’s one of the best home run hitters back in Hawaii. We’ve got as pretty loaded lineup, and she had a great game. Once the girls get more time with each other, I think they’ll put on a show.”​