SOUTH YARMOUTH, Mass. — The last Brave to win the the Home Run Contest at the Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star Game was Mitch Moreland in 2006 at Red Wilson Field, home of the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox.
The run by the 12-year MLB veteran as the reigning winner in Bourne came to a close on Saturday, as a new Brave earned himself that title — it also happened to be at Red Wilson Field.
That winner would be Kuhio Aloy (Arkansas), dethroning five other All-Stars en route to the title.
He said few words to describe how he felt about the victory, but the big grin on his face resembled exactly how he was feeling.
"It feels really, really, really good," Aloy said.
Aloy led the way in the first round with 12 home runs, sending multiple shots off the green scoreboard in left-center field and balls that traveled deep into the trees.
He advanced to the finals, facing off against Easton Breyfogle (Arizona) of the Wareham Gatemen and Carson Tinney (Notre Dame) from the Brewster Whitecaps.
In the final round, Breyfogle led off with 12 home runs before Aloy stepped up to the plate. Aloy knocked 10 over the fence after his two minutes of swinging, earning himself three extra swings that were untimed.
After failing to send the first ball over, Aloy had to clear the fence twice in a row to give himself a chance to win — he did just that, not feeling any pressure.
"I just went out there and did what I do," Aloy said. "Go out there and be fearless."
He tied the 12 from Breyfogle, forcing a one-minute overtime against him after Tinney recorded a third-place performance in the finals.
Breyfogle led off and sent three over the wall — Aloy followed up with four himself to ice it, sending a 425-foot bomb over the fence to win, staring it down as it flew over, knowing he had won it all.
He was mobbed by his teammates after the win. The six other Braves that were selected for the All-Star Game stormed out of the West dugout to congratulate him. Cam Kozeal (Arkansas), a teammate of Aloy at both school and for Bourne, came to show support amongst the fans, recording Aloy from the crowd with his camera as Aloy talked during his on-air interview after the win.
"I always have teammates that got my back," Aloy said. "They're always gonna pick me up — it's just really awesome."
A year ago it was his older brother Wehiwa doing damage at Red Wilson Field for Y-D, but on Saturday it was Kuhio who stole the show early, belting 28 home runs on the way to becoming the Home Run Contest champion with the red Bourne letters across his chest.
"It feels really good being able to compete with the best of the best and being able to showcase my talent," Aloy said.
