Leilehua routs error-prone Honoka'a, 13-0
| • | Punahou tops Kaiser in first round, 3-2 |
| • | Pearl City tops Kaua'i in eight innings, 6-3 |
| • | Roosevelt's late rally knocks off Hilo, 4-3 |
By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer
Leilehua made quick work of Honoka'a in the opening round of the HHSAA/Wally Yonamine Foundation State Baseball Championships yesterday at Les Murakami Stadium.
Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser
Spencer Omalza and Joshua Fetters combined on a three-hitter and Leilehua capitalized on Honoka'a's shaky defense in a 13-0 victory that was shortened to five innings because of the mercy rule.
Leilehua's Andrew Ontai slides into second as Honoka'a's Joshua Hart drops the ball while trying for the tag.
"We played a little sloppy, but we got our timely hits here and there," Leilehua coach Garett Yukumoto said. "We scored some runs on their errors. But we booted the ball around ourselves."
Honoka'a (10-6) made its first appearance in the state tournament since 1974, according to coach Presley Hart. Yesterday, Honoka'a committed five errors that led to 10 unearned runs.
"Our defense was real poor today," Hart said. "Hopefully (today) after we get rested, we'll be playing ball. The boys don't make this much mistakes. Maybe they were awed at being in this stadium."
Leilehua broke it open in the second, sending 11 batters to the plate and scoring eight runs. Honoka'a committed three errors, leading to six unearned runs. Melvin Ferreira, Andrew Ontai, Omalza, Jesse Matsuura, John Olley and Ross Masuhara each drove in one run.
Leilehua added four runs in the fourth inning.
Leilehua (12-2), the only team to defeat top-ranked 'Aiea (12-1) this season, will get a rematch in today's quarterfinals. 'Aiea played without five suspended starters in a 6-5 season-opening loss to Leilehua.
"This is what we wanted," said Omalza, who was yesterday's winning pitcher. "'Aiea didn't have their full roster when we played them. We want to face them with everybody."
Omalza will be available for today's game, if needed, Yukumoto said. Omalza pitched three innings and allowed two hits yesterday. Fetters worked the final two innings and allowed one hit. He struck out one.
"The breaking ball wasn't working that good, but I kept hitting my spots with my fastball," Omalza said. "I tried to change up speeds and keep them off balance."
Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2458.
