Kailua denies resurgent Kahuku baseball team, 14-7
By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer
The Kahuku High School baseball team had a chance to move into a tie for first place in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Eastern Division yesterday, but lost to host Kailua, 14-7.
Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser
The fact that the Red Raiders (4-2) are in a title chase at all, however, is a story in itself. In a community where football is king and other sports are sometimes viewed as mere diversions, the school's baseball team is making a run at its first playoff berth in at least 14 years, maybe ever.
Kahuku's Kyle Juliano fails to beat the catcher's throw to Kailua first baseman Bronson Ho in an O'ahu Interscholastic Association game.
"Our primary goal is to establish good, fundamental baseball in our program," said first-year coach Syd Kawahakui. "Our second goal is to make the playoffs. Kahuku is a football community, but it's a talented community in other ways, too. We want to show through the varsity program that we have some good baseball players."
The Red Raiders took a 1-0 lead in the first inning yesterday, but Kailua (5-1) answered with nine runs on four hits in the bottom of the inning. Kahuku closed to 9-6 in the fourth on a bases-loaded walk, a wild pitch, an RBI single, a run-scoring groundout and another wild pitch.
The Surfriders stretched the lead to 11-6 in the fifth on an error and Jason Tabar's RBI single. Kailua scored three in the bottom of the sixth to make it 14-6 and the Red Raiders could only manage one run in the seventh.
But unlike other years, Kahuku was considered a major threat even before the game started. The Red Raiders went 6-1-1 in the preseason, and athletic director Linda Semones said the runner-up trophy they brought home from the Moloka'i tournament was the school's first-ever in the sport.
"We knew they've been playing good baseball," Kailua coach Corey Ishigo said. "Baseball was never a big sport in their community, but they always had the athletes — the arms and the speed. And now they have really good coaches who can help develop those athletes."
Kawahakui credits his assistants, Pat Nakayama, Ikaika Place and Daniel Kawahakui, with much of the team's early success.
Nakayama and Place were part of the Moloka'i program that stunningly won back-to-back state championships in 1999-2000. Place was a pitcher and Nakayama was an assistant coach to his father, Ken.
Daniel Kawahakui was a standout pitcher for Kahuku last year.
"They're a big help," Syd Kawahakui said of his staff.
Ishigo said despite the Red Raiders' loss yesterday, he noticed a difference from past Kahuku teams.
"You can tell they really want to play good baseball, and they really want to win," Ishigo said.
SHORT HOPS: Kailua ace Kamaile Santos, who has signed a letter of intent to play for the University of Hawai'i next year, sat out his second straight game after suffering a sprained wrist on his right (pitching) hand April 11. Santos said he suffered the injury in PE class and will not resume throwing until next week. ... Daniel Kawahakui, a first-team OIA East All-Star last season, is attending UH but is concentrating on schoolwork this year. He may consider walking on to the Rainbows' program next year, his father said.
Kahuku (4-2) 100 500 1—7 2 3
Kailua (5-1) 900 023 X—14 11 2
Pao, Supernovich (6) and Ponciano. Levi Manutai, Jason Moore (4) and Chad Nishizuka. WP—Moore. LP— Pao.
Leading hitters: Kail—Jonathan Cabar 2-4, 2 RBIs; Jared Kawamoto double, 2 RBIs; Cody Teixeira-Vickery 2-4, 2 doubles, 2 RBIs; Moore 2-2, triple; Taleki Mailau 2-4.
• KALAHEO 5, ROOSEVELT 3: The Mustangs scored four runs on five hits in the first inning, including Cody Racoma's two-run double, to hand the Rough Riders their first loss of the season.
Nick Sargent held the Roosevelt to six hits, striking out five and walking one.
Roosevelt (5-1) 102 000 0—3 6 2
Kalaheo (5-2) 410 000 x—5 7 2
Brandon Loo and Kevin Fujii. Nick Sargent and Jacob Myking. WP—Sargent. LP—Loo.
Leading hitters: Roos—Corey Higa 2-4, home run. Kalah—Aren Viveiros 2-3; Cody Racoma double, 2 RBIs.
• CASTLE 7, MOANALUA 1: Ryan Lum pitched a six-hitter with six strikeouts, and also batted 4-for-4 with a double and three RBIs to lead the Knights.
Moanalua (4-2) 001 000 0—1 6 2
Castle (4-2) 410 002 x—7 12 2
Scott Batula, Neal Manutai (6) and Brett Tanigawa. Ryan Lum and Jason Taniguchi. WP—Lum. LP—Batula.
Leading hitters: Moan—Geoffrey Say 2-4; Lorin Nakagawa 2-4, 2 doubles. Cast—Lum 4-4, double, 3 RBIs; Taniguchi 2-4; Scott Shinsato 2-4, double; Casey Daniel triple, 3 RBIs.
• KAISER 6, KALANI 4: Jason Peters pitched a four-hitter and David Chu hit a bases-loaded triple in a six-run sixth inning to lift the Cougars to a victory at Kahala Field.
Kaiser (3-4) 000 006 0—6 11 1
Kalani (1-5) 130 000 0—4 4 2
Jason Peters and David Chu. Randy Kitagawa, Grant Arakaki (6), Kitagawa (7) and Reid Pamatigan. WP—Peters. LP—Kitagawa.
Leading hitters: Kais—Landon Kaaua 3-4; Chu 2-3, triple, 3 RBIs. Kalan—Kitagawa 3-4.
• KAIMUKI 6, MCKINLEY 5: The Bulldogs overcame a grand slam by Blaine Yoshino to beat the Tigers, who hurt themselves with seven errors.
McKinley (1-6) 000 000 5—5 4 7
Kaimuki (2-4) 300 102 x—6 4 3
Blaine Yoshino and Tyson Kaneshiro. Jay Tokuuke, Shaye Asoau (7) and Leland Ohelo. WP—Tokuuke. LP— Yoshino.
Leading hitters: McK—Yoshino grand slam. Kaim— Kaulana Kaluna 2-2.
• 'Aiea 7, Pearl City 3: Bryan Tucker-Salas scored three runs to help Na Ali'i rally from a 3-2 deficit with five runs in the final three innings.
'Aiea (7-0) 200 031 1—7 10 0
Pearl City (3-3) 000 300 0—3 10 3
Matt Yoshimura, Jared Matsuoka (4), Blake Lamug (5) and Justin Nii, Aaron Asher (7). Jonathan Serapion, Rex Yamaguchi (6), Derrick Kim Seu (7) and Kellen Concepcion. WP—Lamug. LP— Serapion.
Leading hitters: 'Aiea—Bryan Tucker-Salas 2-2, triple, 3 runs; Taylor Watanabe 2-3; Chase Nakamura 2-4; Ricky Takushi 2-2, triple, 2 runs. Pearl City—Ryan Tanabe 2-4; Yamaguchi 2-3; Concepcion 2 RBIs.
• MILILANI 2, WAI'ANAE 0: Christopher Balatico pitched a six-hitter with 10 strikeouts as the Trojans handed the Seariders their first loss of the season.
wai'anae (5-1) 000 000 0—0 6 3
Mililani (3-2) 001 100 X—2 4 0
Cid Moses, Dane Awana (5) and Michael Ferreira. Christopher Balatico and Shawn Saito. WP—Balatico. LP— Moses.
Leading hitters: Waian—Chad Rodrigues 2-4.
• Campbell 12, Nanakuli 2: Tristan Bailey pitched a five-hitter with six strikeouts, and Jacob Cadelina had two hits and three RBIs for the Sabers.
Nanakuli (0-5) 100 100— 2 5 4
Campbell (4-2) 003 513—12 8 1
Michael Nakagawa, Jarel Alapai (5) and Edward Pontes. Tristan Bailey and Ikaika Trinidad WP—Bailey. LP— Nakagawa.
Leading hitters: Camp—Jacob Cadelinia 2-2, double, 3 RBIs; Keahi Kapana double, 2 RBIs.
• Waialua 12, Waipahu 8: Keone Peiler blasted a three-run homer in the first inning as the Bulldogs struck early and defeated the Marauders.
Waipahu (1-4) 021 005 0— 8 8 1
Waialua (2-3) 300 432 X—12 17 3
Shane Jelf, Ross Garabiles (6) and John Fauatea. Charles Tantog, Jonathan Carrano (6) and Keone Peiler WP—Tantog. LP—Jelf.
Leading hitters: Waip— Travis Atualevao homer, 3 RBIs; Chane Garcia 3-4, double, 2 RBIs. Waial—Lee Matsuura 4-5, double, 4 RBIs; Gavin Nakamura 3-5, 2 RBIs; Peiler 3-4, double, homer, 4 RBIs; Ikaika Soares 2-3; Jonathan Keao 2-3; Carrano 2-3, double.
BASKETBALL
• CAMPBELL 41, LEILEHUA 39: Jasmine Lopez blocked Pikake Nutter-Gaudet's 3-point attempt with six seconds remaining, and the Sabers recovered the ball to hand the Mules their first loss of the season.
Heidi Garcia scored a game-high 16 points for Leilehua. Jamie Kua led Campbell with 15 points.
Leilehua (6-1) 10 14 8 7—39
Campbell (6-1) 9 11 10 11—41
Leilehua—Priscilla West 0, Heidi Garcia 16, Nachelle Scott 10, Maria Quidez 0, Alexis San-Nicolas 0, Pikake Nutter-Gaudet 9, Sara Smith 1, Inez Tauvela 3. Totals 15 7-19 39.
Campbell—Joanne Corpuz 5, Jasmine Lopez 2, Veniceia Morris 0, Jalen Garcia 9, Jamie Kua 15, Jacqueline Mendes 0, Kim Edwards 0, Chaunte Jackson 4, Denise Alonzo 0, Jolani Bobbitt 2, Hoku Leiato 4. Totals 16 7-10 41.
3-point goals—Leilehua 2 (Garcia, Nutter-Gaudet). Campbell 2 (Corpuz, Garcia).
JV—Leilehua 24, Campbell 18
• PEARL CITY 40, WAI'ANAE 29: Jillan Soria scored 11 points to lead the Chargers.
Wai'anae (3-4) 11 6 2 10—29
Pearl City (6-1) 8 17 6 9—40
Wai'anae—Kisha Hampton 10, Yvonne Eli 0, Tiare Holbron 10, Tristina Nitta 3, Angeline Lino 4, Chelsey Park 0, Wailana Darden 0, Czarina Gasper 2, Tabitha Randles 0, Janeen Lee-Abelaye 0. Totals 12 3-7 29.
Pearl City—Darcie Hamamoto 2, Jillan Soria 11, Amy Fujihara 3, Christie Ayers 0, Chalice Kaapuni 5, Kelli Yuen 3, Jamie Iwata 2, Kristin Lai 2, Tatum Higdon 0, Frances Mabalay 0, Tina Questel 8, Marci Lobendahn 4, Lusia Kleinschmidt 0. Totals 17 3-6 40.
3-point goals—Wai'anae 2 (Hobron 2). Pearl City 3 (Soria, Fujihara, Yuen).
JV—Pearl City 29, Wai'anae 25
• RADFORD 39, NANAKULI 30: Heather Massey scored seven of her game-high 18 points in the fourth quarter to rally the Rams.
Nanakuli (3-5) 9 7 8 6—30
Radford (5-3) 11 9 3 16—39
Nanakuli—Chalcedony Silva 1, Lindsey Ako 1, Jasmine Carvalho 0, KC Hoohuli 0, Lehua Yap 13, Chanel Ching 5, Ashley Gasper 8, Stacelyn Eli 0, Malia Hirahara 0, Teila Watson 0, Marsy Holi-Arrington 2. Totals 9 9-19 30.
Radford—Joanne Czumalowski 0, Chantel Romano 0, Marina Watts 0, Jenna Johnson-Endo 2, Jennifer Taylor 0, Heather Massey 18, Missy Cordero 0, Michelle Winebush 0, Lia Mickey 4, Nateita Viavia 2, Talaya Jones 8, Bree Reyes 5. Totals 15 7-19 39.
3-point goals—Nanakuli 3 (Yap 3). Radford 2 (Massey 2).
JV—Nanakuli 33, Radford 28
• Waipahu 35, Kapolei 31: Jerrell Taituave scored 11 points to help the Marauders prevail in overtime.
Kapolei (0-7) 5 8 6 10 2—31
Waipahu (3-4) 5 11 6 7 6—35
Kapolei—Tasha Faumuina 6, Kamaile Kelekolio 0, Kayla Kam 11, Charlyn Kauachi 2, Danielle Hughes 0, Shauntay Leutu 4, Tanya Menino 5, Sanaoi Peahu 0, Ama Haupu-silva 2, Pam Mellinger 0, Edna Talo 1, Gabrielle Tabios 0. Totals 12 6-12 31.
Waipahu—Crystal Baliguat 0, Ranalyn Baldovi 1, Rosanna Jardin 8, Jenna Rosario 1, Nicole Keaunui 2, Tiana Ortogero 10, Adrianne Olione 2, Angeli Espiritu 0, Jerrell Taituave 11, Maryann Baxa 0. Totals 13 9-32 35.
3-point goals—Kapolei 1 (Kam).
JV—Waipahu 42, Kapolei 18
• MILILANI 48, WAIALUA 31: Darci Watanabe sank three 3-pointers and scored a game-high 19 points for the Trojans.
Waialua (0-6) 9 8 3 11—31
Mililani (2-5) 14 8 16 10—48
Waialua—Ashley Yoshizu 5, Joanna Alfanta 9, Clarice Kajiwara 5, Abegail Aceret 0, Melissa Baker 3, Glenelle Matas 0, Shanay Coloma 1, Kira Nakasone 8. Totals 11 6-17 31.
Mililani—Darci Watanabe 19, Lauren Panicek 0, Sandy Santiago 1, Sandy Nakamura 4, Jade Kila 0, Adrienne Kasaoka 2, Lori Nonies 0, Erin Chapman 0, Jody Saquilon 5, Kodi Oyama 0, Yvonne Morris 4, Suzy Jackson 2, Talia Tupua 9, Rebekah McKoy 2. Totals 20 5-11 48.
3-point goals—Waialua 3 (Yoshizu, Matas, Nakasone). Mililani 3 (Watanabe 3).
JV—Mililani 48, Waialua 29
ILH DIVISION I JV
Punahou Gold 41, Punahou Blue 34
DIVISION II JV
St. Francis 59, Hawai'i Baptist 37
Iolani 41, Maryknoll 29
GOLF
• Moanalua, 'Aiea prevail: Moanalua's boys and 'Aiea's girls won O'ahu Interscholastic Association team championships yesterday at Waialae Country Club.
Moanalua, led by Neal Manutai's 3-over-par 75, shot an aggregate score of 319 to beat runner-up 'Aiea by one stroke for the boys' title.
'Aiea, led by Megan Sakamoto's 6-over-par 78, shot 251 to beat Moanalua by 12 strokes for the girls' title.
