Posted on: Saturday, May 8, 2004
Roosevelt, 'Aiea to play for OIA title today
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By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer
Led by a hot hitter and a sophomore starter, Roosevelt continued its remarkable run through the O'ahu Interscholastic Association baseball tournament yesterday.
Ricky Eusebio belted a three-run home run, and David Chow pitched six solid innings as Roosevelt defeated host Pearl City, 4-2, in a semifinal game.
The Rough Riders advanced to today's championship against 'Aiea, a 7-2 winner over host Kaiser in the other semifinal yesterday. The championship will be played at Mililani High School at 4 p.m.
Since starting the season 1-3, Roosevelt, the East No. 4 seed, has gone 9-0 and has knocked off West No. 5 Mililani (6-5), West No. 1 Leilehua (9-2) and West No. 3 Pearl City (9-4) in the OIA tournament.
"This team kept improving through the first game," Roosevelt coach Kerry Higa said. "They weren't satisfied. They're improving every step of the way. That's the name of the game."
Eusebio broke open the game in the fourth inning with his second home run in as many days.
With two outs and two on, the senior right-fielder pulled a 1-1 pitch over the fence 325 feet away in right field to give the Rough Riders a 3-1 lead.
"I was kind of struggling with my swing," said Eusebio, who popped out to the catcher in his first at-bat. "Everyone was telling me to keep my head up. I just waited for that pitch. Once I hit it, I knew it was gone."
Trailing 4-1, Pearl City mounted a late rally in the seventh inning. After pinch hitter Tate Ikehara singled to lead off and scored on Blayne Kamahiai's double, Justin Goo relieved Chow and got the final three outs for the save.
Chow, a sophomore, earned the victory by scattering eight hits and allowing two runs, one earned, in six-plus innings. He walked one and struck out three.
"Just throw strikes, get the ball over the plate and let them hit," Chow said of his game plan. "Our defense is good."
Pearl City coach Mel Seki, whose team rallied to defeat Kalani, 6-2, in eight innings on Thursday, said his team ran out of comebacks.
"You can't expect another one like that happening the following day," Seki said. "Miracles do happen, but give Roosevelt credit. They played a heck of a game."
David Chow, Justin Goo (7) and Kevin Fujii. Craig Calantoc, Austin Jo (5), Thomas Yamasaki (7) and Corey Giammalvo. W—Chow. L—Calantoc. S—Goo.
Leading hitters: Roosevelt— Justin Goo double; Kevin Fujii 2-4, double; Joshua Danz double; Ricky Eusebio 3-run home run. Pearl City—Michael Higa 2-4; Thomas Yamasaki double; Blayne Kamahiai 2-2, double.
• 'Aiea 7, Kaiser 2: Shawn Hao pitched a four-hitter with six strikeouts, and Kepa Wong hit a two-run homer and Jordan Shibata a two-run double in a five-run fifth inning that lifted Na Ali'i into the OIA championship game. Shawn Hao and Aaron Asher. Trent Hamada, Ren Kimura (5), Neale Asato (6) and Jarred Maeda. W—Hao. L— Hamada.
Leading hitters: 'Aiea—Kepa Wong homer, 2 RBIs; Asher triple; Jordan Shibata 2-2, double, 2 RBIs; Dylan Libadisos 2-4.
Reported by Peter Ho
• Leilehua 7, Kalani 4: Andrew Ontai and Jesse Matsuura each had three hits, and the Mules scored five runs on seven hits in the third inning to win a consolation bracket game.
Reid Matsumura, Darren Takemoto (3), Chassis Moody (3) and Preston Pires. John Olley, Andrew Ontai (6) and Jesse Matsuura. W—Olley. L—Matsumura.
Leading hitters: Kalani— Pires 2-4; Randy Kitagawa triple; Dustin Goya 2-3, double. Leilehua—Ontai 3-4, triple; Spencer Omalza double; Matsuura 3-4; Josh Fetters 2-3; Melvin Ferriera 2-2, Kelsey Yoshikame 2-3.
Reported by Garrett Yukumoto
• Wai'anae 9, Moanalua 8: Ranson Silva hit a two-run double in the sixth to give the Seariders a 9-7 lead in an OIA consolation round game.
Darius Fuller and Peter Carba. Markus Miyashiro, Trevor Bell (6) and Donovan Souza. W—Fuller. L—Miyashiro.
Leading hitters: Wai'anae—Sonny Dudoit 3-3, 2 RBIs; Dillon Guzman 2-4, homer; Ranson Silva 2-4, double, 2 RBIs; Fuller 2-4. Moanalua—Glenn Taijeron 2-4; Andrew Blomberg 2-3, homer, 2 RBIs; Adam Arakawa double; Neal Arakawa double; Kawika Kaulukukui double.
Reported by Mitchell Hahn
Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2458.
