Mid-Pacific holds off Punahou, 2-1
By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer
A large part of Mid-Pacific's hopes for a successful baseball season has so far been placed on Harry Kuroda's broad shoulders, and the senior right-hander delivered once again last night.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser
Kuroda, who has pitched in all four of the Owls' games this season, tossed 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief and batted 3 for 3 to help MPI hold off Punahou, 2-1, at Ala Wai Field. The victory keeps the Owls (3-1) in a first-place tie with Kamehameha in the tight Interscholastic League of Honolulu standings. Punahou fell to 2-2.
Mid-Pacific's Brenton Endo beats a pickoff attempt in the first inning. Awaiting the throw is Punahou first baseman Kasey Ko.
With each of the ILH's eight teams already saddled with one loss and each team having at least one win, every game takes on added importance. That's especially true this season because under the Hawai'i High School Athletic Association's formula, the ILH will have to play off with the Maui Interscholastic League for a second state tournament berth.
The Big Island Interscholastic Federation, with two new members, has been awarded a third state berth under the HHSAA formula.
But Kuroda, who is 2-1 with one save in four appearances, is taking the added stress in stride.
"This season has been real fun," said Kuroda, who has signed to play for the University of Hawai'i at Manoa next year. "I have friends on the other teams, and we all think it's been fun. It's better than if one team was just blowing through the entire league."
That certainly has not happened, and last night's game typified the tight ILH race.
Mid-Pacific took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning after Chris Goya led off with a triple to center field and came home on Adam Tamashiro's g-roundout to first. The Buffanblu tied it in the bottom of the frame when Shaun Kiriu led off with a walk and eventually scored on Mike Kim's sacrifice fly.
The Owls went up 2-1 in the third when Tamashiro singled and later scored on Randy Rundgren's double to left. That's how it stood, as Kuroda relieved starter Chris Freshour with one out in the fifth inning and shut down Punahou the rest of the way.
"Gutty," said MPI coach Dunn Muramaru, describing Kuroda's performance. "But that's what he does every time — he just goes up there and does the job."
Punahou coach Eric Kadooka, who has faced Kuroda for three seasons, wasn't surprised to see him get the call again.
"Dunn is going to turn to Harry because he knows he can do the job," Kadooka said. "He's a self-made pitcher who worked hard and he'll give you 100 percent all the time."
Mid-Pacific (3-1) 101 000 0—2 6 1
Punahou (2-2) 100 000 0—1 5 0
Chris Freshour, Harry Kuroda (5) and Ivan Kabei, Kip Masuda (5). Shaun Kiriu and Robert Kurisu. W—Freshour (1-0). L— Kiriu (0-1). S—Kuroda (1).
Leading hitters: Mid-Pacific—Kuroda 3-3. Punahou—Kiriu 2-3.
Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456.
• SAINT LOUIS 16, IOLANI 5: Chester Wilson batted 4 for 4, including a home run, and Ryan Sasaki went 4 for 5 to lead the Crusaders to an ILH victory at Iolani.
Saint Louis (3-1) 500 021 8—16 21 1
Iolani (1-3) 100 201 1— 5 12 5
Edwin Apostle, Mark Nobriga (5) and Jowen Murray-Thornton. Eric Muraoka, Trent Muraoka (5), Christian Johnson (7), Kahiwa Letman (7) and Bert Mitsunaga. W—Apostle. L— E. Muraoka. S—Nobriga.
Leading hitters: Saint Louis—Chester Wilson 4-4, 2 RBIs, HR; Danny Lee 3-5, 3 RBIs, double; Nobriga 3-5, 3 RBIs; Ryan Sasaki 4-5, double, 2 RBIs. Iolani—Kelly Teramoto 3-5, HR, RBI; Jared Nakama 4-4, 2 doubles, RBI.
• KAMEHAMEHA 9, PAC-FIVE 6: The Warriors went ahead in the fifth inning, scoring four runs on three hits and two errors en route to an ILH victory at Ala Wai field.
Kamehameha (3-1) 220 040 1—9 11 4
Pac-Five (1-2) 032 010 0—6 12 5
Brandon Ogimi, Shige Purdy (3), David Parrow (5) and Stuart Kam. Tyler Inouye, Nick Miyamoto (7) and Aaron Chilcote. W—Parrow. L—Inouye.
Leading hitters: Kamehameha—Travis Young 2-4, RBI; Eli Chee 2-3; Dayne Ogawa 2-4, 2 doubles 2 RBIs. Pac-Five—Kendall Tanigawa 2-2, RBI; Jacob Mellow 2-3; Aaron Chilcoate 2-2, triple; Paul Nishimura 2-4, double.
• NANAKULI 22, WAIALUA 6: Winning pitcher Lance Loa had four hits and two RBIs as the Golden Hawks won an OIA West game.
Nanakuli (1-0) 08(12) 02—22 17 1
Waialua (0-2) 12 3 00— 6 10 8
Lance Loa and Curtis Wright. Kelson Silva, Michael Kuraoka (2), Justin Manglallan (3), Shaywn Peiler (4) and Peiler, Manglallan (4). WP—Loa. LP— Kuraoka.
Leading hitters: Nana— Loa 4-5, double, 2 RBIs; Wright 3-6, 4 RBIs; Deran Harris 3-5, double, 4 RBIs; Marshall Lo 2-3, RBI. Waia—Justin Barit 2-3; Socrates Menor 2-2.
Reported by Herb Onizuka
Junior Varsity
O'ahu Interscholastic Association
Western Division
'Aiea 6, Waipahu 0
Wai'anae 19, Leilehua 7
OIA Eastern Division
Castle 5, Kalaheao 0
