Punahou remains unbeaten in ILH, 9-6
By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer
Punahou finished the first trimester of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu baseball season yesterday with a 9-6 victory over Saint Louis to stay unbeaten at 6-0-1.
Andrew Shimabuku • The Honolulu Advertiser
Buffanblu ace Jared Pate improved to 3-0, although it was more of a grind compared to his shutouts the previous two Saturdays. Pate, who no-hit Kamehameha two weeks ago and tossed a five-hitter against Mid-Pacific last week, gave up 11 hits yesterday in the swirling winds at Ala Wai Field.
Saint Louis' Justin Doane slides in safely at the plate against Punahou in the first inning at Ala Wai Field.
But he again benefitted from an early lead, as Punahou jumped ahead 7-0 in the first inning after four walks and two hits, including Kyle Fujimoto's three-run double.
"It's tough spotting the (defending) state champs seven runs," said Crusaders coach Scot Paiva, whose team dropped its third straight game after a 4-0 start. "It's been a rough week — we were an inch fair or foul from winning two of those games. But we just have to take the positive and move on to next week. We've still got 14 games left; it's a long season."
One positive from yesterday was the way Saint Louis came back after the early deficit. The Crusaders scored three runs in the bottom of the first after two Buffanblu errors and Sheldon Santiago's two-run single. They made it 7-5 in the second on Keli'i Zablan's two-run double.
Kasey Ko's run-scoring single in the fourth put Punahou up, 8-5, but the Saints got the run back in the bottom half after another RBI double by Zablan. Fujimoto then drove in a run with an opposite-field single in the fifth, and Pate escaped a jam in the bottom half by stranding runners at second and third.
Buffanblu second baseman Maika Murashige saved a run with a diving stop and throw to end the sixth, and Carl Graves struck out the side in the seventh to earn the save.
"We hit the ball well and scored runs, but Saint Louis is a good hitting team, too, and it was a battle," Punahou coach Eric Kadooka said. "This was a huge win for us, against a quality opponent."
The unlikely offensive star was Fujimoto, who went 2 for 4 with four RBIs in just his third start of the season. He did not crack the starting lineup until Tuesday, but had eight hits in the past three games.
"I'm seeing the ball better and I knew (a starting role) would come — it was just a matter of when," said Fujimoto, a senior. "I just had to make the most out of the opportunity."
Now it's up to the rest of the league to try and catch the Buffanblu in the next two rounds. Kamehameha is second with a 6-1 record.
"It's a big accomplishment to be undefeated after seven games in this league," Kadooka said. "It means we're playing well."
Punahou (6-0-1) 700 110 0—9 8 3
Saint Louis (4-3) 320 100 0—6 11 2
Jared Pate, Carl Graves (7) and Michael Chock. Kahiau Johnson, Gavin Mendez (1), Kalei Perreira (2), Cameron Bayne (2) and Sheldon Santiago. W—Pate. L—Johnson. S—Graves.
Leading hitters—Punahou: Kyle Fujimoto 2-4, double, 4 RBIs; Chock 2-4, 2 RBIs; Maika Murashige 2-4. Saint Louis: Keli'i Zablan 3-4, double, 4 RBIs; Ryan Sasaki 2-3, 2 doubles; Santiago 2-3, 2 RBIs; Chester Wilson double.
Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456.
Mid-Pacific 3, Iolani 2
Adam Tamashiro singled in Seob Yoon from third to cap a three-run seventh inning for the Owls.
Mid-Pacific (4-3) 000 000 3—3 7 1
Iolani (3-3-1) 001 001 0—2 3 2
Jayson Kramer and Kip Masuda. Wally Marciel, Ian Mopas (7) and Riley Yamamoto. W—Kramer. L—Mopas.
Leading hitters: Mid-Pacific—Adam Tamashiro 2-3. Iolani—Marc Factora homer; Brett Hasegawa 2-3.
KAMEHAMEHA 13, MARYKNOLL 2
The Warriors scored eight runs on seven hits in the first inning en route to victory over the Spartans. The game was called after 4 1/2 innings because of the league's 10-run mercy rule.
Maryknoll (1-6) 000 20— 2 3 0
Kamehameha (6-1) 811 3x—13 13 0
Spencer Kim, Peter Kirst (6) and Brian Tabata. Kamu Freitas and Stuart Kam. W—Freitas. L— Kim.
Leading hitters: Maryknoll— Matt Fukumoto double, 2 RBIs. Kamehameha—Aaron Nichols 2 runs; Makana Kitamura 2-3, triple; Stuart Kam double; Ryson Mauricio double; Jamie Smeigh 2-3, 2 runs; Eli Chee 2-3; Kamu Freitas 2-3, double; Jason Rego-double.
Reported by Gail Juan
Damien 6, Pac-Five 1
Evander Ledward pitched a three-hitter and Scotty Taleasea went 2 for 4 with a triple, homer and two RBIs for the Monarchs.
Damien (2-5) 110 002 2—6 8 3
Pac-Five (1-6) 010 000 0—1 3 3
Evander Ledward and Kai Higa. Samson Aina, Travis Ogimi (7) and Aaron Chilcote. W—Ledward. L—Aina.
Leading hitters: Damien—Scotty Taleasea 2-4, triple, homer, 2 RBIs, 2 runs; Travis Derby double.
Reported by Gail Juan
OIA East
KALANI 10, MCKINLEY 0
Reid Matsumura pitched a four-hitter and Joshua Markwith drove in three runs as the Falcons routed the Tigers in an O'ahu Interscholastic Association Eastern Division game.
Kalani (4-0) 001 045—10 7 1
McKinley (1-3) 000 000— 0 4 5
Reid Matsumura and Preston Pires. Jarren Hirasaki, Kalen Kuniyuki (5), Devin Okinaga (6) and Andrew Mitani. W—Matsumura. L—Hirasaki.
Leading hitters: Kalani—Joshua Markwith 2-4, double, 3 RBIs; Pires triple; Jarren Takemoto double.
Reported by Jillian Tamaru
Moanalua 21, Farrington 1
Andrew Blomberg and Dayne Dela Cruz hit back-to-back home runs in the first inning and Peter Arakawa added a grand slam in an eight-run second for the Menehunes. Moanalua's Adam Arakawa batted 3 for 3 with two RBIs, Blomberg finished with four RBIs and Kekoa Lee drove in three.
Moanalua (2-1) 583 23—21 15 0
Farrington (1-3) 000 10— 1 4 1
Adam Arakawa, Mike Amorozo (4), Shawn Kaulukakui (5) and Donovan Souza. Anthony Gabrillo, Andrew Ganaban (2) and JayAr Mariano.
W—Arakawa. L—Gabrillo.
Leading hitters: Moanalua—Peter Arakawa grand slam, 3 runs, 4 RBIs; A. Arakawa 3-3, 2 RBIs; Andrew Blomberg 2-2, double, 3-run homer, 4 RBIs; Kekoa Lee 2-3, triple, 3 RBIs; Dayne Dela Cruz solo home run, Markus Miyashiro double, RBI. Farrington—Alex Mendoza double; Matt Baltazar double; Alison Tolentino 2-2.
Reported by Leonard Padayhag
Roosevelt 4, Castle 2
Rick Yoshikane had two doubles and drove in two runs to lead the Rough Riders past the Knights. Ikaika Reppuhn went 2 for 3 with a home run for Castle.
Roosevelt (4-0) 012 001 0—4 7 0
Castle (1-3) 000 002 0—2 7 1
David Chow, Kalani Yoshimura (7) and Kevin Fujii. Ikaika Reppuhn, Kazu Meyer (7) and David Mohika. W—Chow. L—Reppuhn.
Leading hitters: Roosevelt—Fujii double; Nicholas Wong 2-3, double; Yoshimura double, RBI; Rick Yoshikane 2-3, 2 doubles, 2 RBIs. Castle—Reppuhn 2-3, homer, 2 RBIs; Shane Dydasco 2-3.
Reported by Joe Tom
Kailua 22, Kaimuki 4
Kekoa Su'a batted 3 for 4 with a homer, five RBIs and three runs scored, and Ryan Rodrigues went 3 for 4 with three RBIs and three runs scored for the Surfriders. Kailua sent 12 batters to the plate in a seven-run first inning and scored eight times in the fifth.
Kailua (4-0) 713 38—22 18 0
Kaimuki (0-4) 102 01— 4 10 4
Kevin Matsumoto, Preston Nakata (4) and Michael D'Alessio. Kaeo Neal, Akoni Sexton (4), Albert Olive (5), Corey Morihara (5) and Keha Akau, Danny Berger (2). W—Matsumoto. L—Neal.
Leading hitters: Kailua—Matsumoto 2-3, double, 2 runs; Kelroy Kohatsu 2-2, 2 doubles, 2 runs; Kekoa Su'a 3-4, homer, 3 runs, 5 RBIs; Ryan Rodrigues 3-4, 2 doubles, 3 runs, 3 RBIs; Matthew Kinoshita double; Keli'i Klobucar double, 2 RBIs; Troy McCreadie 2-3, triple, 2 RBIs; D'Alessio double, 2 runs. Kaimuki—Morihara 3-3, 3 runs; Neal 2-3, double; Sexton 2-2; Akau 2-3.
Reported by Duke Chinen
Kaiser 12, Kahuku 5
Ho'o Obed, Scott Uehara and Geoff Peters each drove in two runs as the Cougars beat the Red Raiders.
Kaiser (3-0) 150 040 2—12 8 1
Kahuku (0-3) 100 202 0— 5 6 2
Reyn Kimura, Brian Yakabe (5) and Jarryd Maeda. Keola Kahele and Nick Cook, Kurtney Silva (5). W—Kimura. L—Kahele.
Leading hitters: Kaiser—Ho'o Obed 2-3, double, 2 RBIs; Scott Uehara 2-4, 2 RBIs; Geoff Peters 2-3, RBI. Kahuku—Ethan Haiole homer; Kimball Niumatalolo 2-4; Kahele 2-3.
Reported by Steve Van Ness
OIA West
Mililani 11, Kapolei 0
Tony Aquino tossed a three-hitter, and batted 2 for 3 with two runs scored to lead the Trojans past the Hurricanes in an O'ahu Interscholastic Association Western Division game. Mililani's Brandon Oshiro and Kamaka Crabbe had two RBIs apiece.
Mililani (3-0) 350 012—11 17 0
Kapolei (0-4) 000 000— 0 3 6
Tony Aquino and Kamaka Crabbe. Jon Santiago and Michael Kahalehoe. W—Aquino. L—Santiago.
Leading hitters: Mililani—Aquino 2-3, 2 runs; Chaz Miyashiro 2-4, 2 doubles, 2 runs, RBI; Brandon Oshiro 2 RBIs; Crabbe double, run, 2 RBIs; Dustin Antolin double, RBI; Curt Uyeda double; Justin Sagami double, RBI; Kyle Nakamoto 2-4. Kapolei—Jordan Canionero 2-3.
Reported by Tom Ebanez
Campbell 13, Waipahu 3
Tristan Bailey and James Bannister drove in three runs apiece as the Sabers beat the Marauders. Jaris Komuro-Rosete hit a three-run homer for Waipahu.
Campbell (3-1) 604 03—13 8 1
Waipahu (0-4) 003 00— 3 4 3
Cruz Romero, Blayne Dikito (5) and Kendall Hudson. Derek Kiyabu, Jensen Rios (1), Mark Peralta (3) and Rich Kaleikini. W—Romero. L—Kiyabu.
Leading hitters: Campbell—Tristan Bailey 3-4, double, 3 RBIs; James Bannister triple, 3 RBIs; Ian Valez double, 2 RBIs. Waipahu—Jaris Komuro-Rosete homer, 3 RBIs.
Reported by Milton Takenaka
LEILEHUA 14, WAIALUA 0
Andrew Ontai and Delbert Macamas combined on a two-hitter with 10 strikeouts for the Mules.
Leilehua (3-0) 303 62—14 15 0
Waialua (0-3) 000 00— 0 2 2
Andrew Ontai, Delbert Macamas (4) and Ehukai Woolley. Shawyn Peiler, Casey Onizuka (5) and Derrick Nacario. W—Ontai. L—Peiler.
Leading hitters: Leilehua—Ontai 2-3, double; Bryant Moniz 3-3, triple; Casey Yamaguchi 2-2, 3 RBIs; Kelsey Yoshikane 3-3, 3 RBIs; Woolley 2-3, double.
Reported by Herbert Onizuka
PEARL CITY 9, RADFORD 0
Craig Calantoc and Jason Tamanaha combined on a four-hitter with eight strikeouts as the Chargers beat the Rams. Pearl City's Kory Valenzona hit a bases-clearing triple in the fifth inning.
Pearl City (4-0) 220 050 0—9 12 0
Radford (0-4) 000 000 0—0 4 1
Craig Calantoc, Jason Tamanaha (6) and Paul Domingo, Rylan Nakahata (6). Sean Irish, Justin Lord (6) and Kyle Howell. W—Calantoc. L—Irish.
Leading hitters: Pearl City—Dustin Kim Seu 2-4, 2 doubles; Kory Valenzona 2-4, double, 3 RBIs.
Reported by James Sunday
'AIEA 18, Nanakuli 0
Hoku Piho and Cody Aquino combined for nine strikeouts in Na Ali'i's second consecutive no-hitter. Shane Koga and Marc Alejo drove in three runs apiece for 'Aiea, which no-hit Waialua in a victory Wednesday.
'Aiea (4-0) 360 90—18 16 0
Nanakuli (1-2) 000 00— 0 0 5
Hoku Piho, Cody Aquino (3) and Brian Morihara, Adnrew Gouveia (2). Ainoa Olivera, Rance Alferez (3), Bryson Felisi (3) and Curtis Wright. W—sdadasf. L— Olivera.
Leading hitters: 'Aiea—Shane Koga 2-2 double, 2-run homer, 3 RBIs; Reid Nakamura triple; Lance Powell 2-2, doubles, 2 RBIs; Kurt Nishi triple, 2 RBIs; Aquino 2-2; Marc Alejo 2-4, 3 RBIs; Piho double.
Reported by Kimo Kaululaau
