ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hilo's Blaine Pilayo shook hands with the Mexico team after his team lost 13-2 in the Cal Ripken World Series final.
Hilo loses
Cal Ripken
finalUncharacteristically
sloppy defense results in
a loss to Mexico
ABERDEEN, Md. >> Nestor Lopez Zamora hit a two-run homer to spark a seven-run fourth inning, leading Mexico to a 13-2 victory over Hilo in the Cal Ripken World Series championship game yesterday.
Zamora struck out 10 in 4 1/3 innings of relief and was voted the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. Zamora also added an RBI infield single in the big fourth inning that gave Mexico a 7-0 lead.
Mexico sent 12 batters to the plate in that inning after Hilo pitcher Jeremy Crivello hadn't allowed a hit in the first three innings.
Jose Sillas Alcaraz was Mexico's other big hitter. He went 3-for-4 with three RBIs, all of which came on a three-run homer during a five-run sixth.
Zamora relieved Alcaraz with the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the second. Zamora then got Aaron Soong to bounce into a force play and keep the game scoreless.
"I was nervous at the beginning of the game, but I relaxed once we began to rally," Zamora said.
The right-hander allowed two runs on four hits in the final 4 1/3 innings and was dominant throughout.
Hilo couldn't come through on several early scoring chances, leaving four on base in the first two innings.
Fielding problems also plagued Hilo, which had been one of the tournament's top defensive clubs. However, Hilo made five errors -- two of which helped Mexico break the game open in the fourth.
Hilo scored its runs in the fifth when Soong led off with a home run and Kolton Wong -- who went 2-for-2 with a pair of walks -- scored on a straight steal of home plate.
It was the first time an international team has taken the world championship in the tournament for 12-year-olds.
