Kaua’i Broncos on the way to the PONY World Series

MORENO VALLEY, Calif. – The Kaua’i Protect Our Nation’s Youth Bronco All-Stars will leave California on Wednesday and travel to Laredo, Texas to compete in the PONY World Series.

Led by Coach Stanton Yoshimori, Manager Gino Pegeder and Business Manager Shay Yamase, the Kaua’i Broncos U12 team captured the zone championship after going undefeated from July 18-21.

The Kaua’i Bronco All-Stars beat the Placentia Punishers 12U 11-5 on the opening day of zone play. Placentia was already a World Series winner in 2022.

On July 19, the Kaua’i Broncos crushed West Seattle 12U, and on July 20, the team survived a 4-3 battle with the 2024 Marina Bronco All-Stars. A 12-6 victory over the WSB All Stars on July 21 secured the Kaua’i Broncos’ perfect undefeated record.

At the state tournament, which secured the team’s eligibility for the zone tournament, the Kaua’i Broncos finished 3-0 in Hilo after defeating the Maui Bronco All-Stars 12U 11-0 and the Hilo PONY Bronco All-Stars 12U 9-3, and then again defeated Maui 12-1 to secure the state championship.

The 2024 Bronco League World Series will be held in Laredo, Texas, July 26-29. The Kaua’i Bronco All-Stars, described in the bracket as “Lihu’e, Hawai’i,” are scheduled to face Cleveland, Ohio, in the first game.

Teams from the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Japan also participate in the World Series.

The Kaua’i Bronco All Stars consists of 14 members: Gerald Aceret-Coloma, Aries Arruda, La’akea Chang Wo, Jacoby Dotario, Pi’ikea Furuta, Logan Gonsalves, Keith Haraguchi, Bronsen Ka’auwai, Kaeden Kelekoma, Kimo Matsushima , Makoa Mizumoto-Perez, Knox Pegeder, Shay Yamase and Taj Yoshimori.

According to PONY World Series records, the last Hawai’i World Series winner in the 12U division came from Ewa Beach on O’ahu and won in Monterey, California.

Ready to take the step onto the biggest 12-under field, the Kaua’i Bronco All-Stars helped make their way to Moreno Valley by selling ice cream provided by Meadow Gold at Kaua’i Hospice’s recent Concert in the Sky at Vidinha Stadium.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the team’s expenses can donate on the team’s GoFundMe website at www.GoFundMe.com/kauai-bronco-12U or contact Ashley Yoshimori at [email protected] or 808-651-3172.