Muramoto's clutch hit lifts Kalani past Kapolei
By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer
Davin Muramoto was slumping early this season, so Kalani coach Shannon Hirai started calling him "Jobu" — a reference to a movie character in "Major League" who couldn't hit curveballs.
In a first-round game of the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Tournament yesterday at Kahala Field, Muramoto was at bat with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh and the Falcons trailing by a run with one out.
Kapolei's Colin Dumlao missed with a curve and came back with a fastball, which Muramoto ripped down the third-base line to score the tying and winning runs as Kalani won, 4-3.
"I was just trying to put the ball in play and bring in the runs because we needed it," Muramoto said.
Chassis Moody reached on a fielding error by the shortstop to open the inning.
Dumlao struck out the next batter, but threw a wild pitch that allowed Moody to take second.
Len Shimabuku was intentionally walked and Shannon Chung reached when his grounder was fielded by the third baseman, who missed a tag on Moody as he raced to third.
That brought up Muramoto, who was 1-for-3 before his winning hit.
"Davin, who hasn't been hitting all year, got a good pitch to swing at," Hirai said.
Hirai said he moved Muramoto from No. 4 to No. 5 in the order so he could see more fastballs, and "his downfall is he can't lay off the low curveball."
Kalani (8-3) will play at Wai'anae (8-2) today.
Ty Sarchet pitched the final two innings for the win. He allowed one hit, struck out two and 17 of his 21 pitches were strikes.
Kapolei (5-6) led 3-0 after five innings, but Kalani scored two runs in the sixth on an RBI single by Allen Komori and a delayed double steal of home.
Kalani threatened over the first four innings, but batted 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and stranded seven runners, including five in scoring position.
Dumlao allowed eight hits, walked two and struck out two.
KAPOLEI 001 020 0—3 3 1
KALANI 000 002 2—4 9 2
Chris Dumlao and Drake Kula. Randy Kitagawa, Chassis Moody (5), Ty Sarchet (6) and Reid Pamatigan. W—Sarchet. L—Dumlao.
Leading hitters: Kapolei—Dumlao 2 runs; Daryl Figueroa 2 RBIs. Kalani—Len Shimabuku double; Davin Muramoto 2-4; Sarchet 2-3; Shannon Chung 2-4.
MILILANI 8, MOANALUA 3: Winning pitcher Chris Balatico batted 4-for-4 with three doubles, a triple, and six RBIs to lead the Trojans past the Menehunes.
Mililani 104 030 0—8 15 1
Moanalua 100 101 0—3 5 2
Chris Balatico, Clinton Blackman (6), Dane Mizusawa (7) and Ian Koki. Andrew Blomberg, Ryan Wallsinger (4), Chance Daskauskas (5), Trevor Bell (7) and Brett Tanigwa. W—Balatico. L—Blomberg.
Leading hitters: Mililani—Chaz Miyashiro 3-4, double; Balatico 4-4, 3 doubles, triple, 6 RBIs; Blackman 3-4. Moanalua—Tanigawa 2-3.
PEARL CITY 4, KAHUKU 3: Chad Itokazu scored the winning run in the bottom of the eighth when Rex Yamaguchi was caught in a rundown between first and second on a double-steal attempt.
Kahuku 200 100 00—3 5 0
Pearl City 110 000 11—4 7 0
Mel Silva and Alex Ponciano. Tony Ganigan and Corey Giammalzo. W—Ganigan. L—Silva.
Leading hitters: Kahuku—Silva double; Kaipo Souza double.
KALAHEO 4, CAMPBELL 2: Kalaheo scored the go-ahead runs in the ninth on an RBI single by Ranson Kaanoi and an errant pickoff throw.
Kalaheo 000 000 202—4 4 0
Campbell 001 000 100—2 6 3
Sonny Harbottle, Kurt Okumura (8) and Jake Myking. Tristan Bailey, Brandon Tanigawa (9), James Bannister (9) and Ian Pantorilla. W—Okumura. L—Bailey.
Leading hitters: Kalaheo—Aren Viveiros 2-4. Campbell—Jonah Canionero double; Victor Cachuela 2-3, double.
O'ahu Interscholastic Association
Junior Varsity
- Wai'anae 7, Kaiser 0
- Mililani 4, Moanalua 2
