Kalani forges tie for first in OIA East
By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer
You've got to wake up pretty early in the morning to beat the Kailua High School baseball team, and Kalani did just that yesterday.
The Falcons rallied past the Surfriders, 8-6, in a rare 10 a.m. game at Kahala Field. Kalani's victory knocked Kailua from the unbeaten ranks and created a tie between the two teams for first place (each is 6-1) in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association's Eastern Division.
Kailua's junior prom forced yesterday's game to start three hours earlier than usual, meaning both teams took batting practice at 7:30 a.m.
"It can be rough playing a 10 o'clock game, but we've been lifting weights at 6:30 in the morning during the week, and this is the first year the team actually wanted to do that," Falcons coach Shannon Hirai said. "So being here early shouldn't be a problem for us."
Still, it was the Surfriders who got off to the quick start. Kailua scored twice in the top of the second inning after Matthew Kinoshita's single, Michael D'Alessio's walk and Tyler Harrison's double, and could have scored a third run if not for a controversial play.
With two outs and Harrison breaking for home from third, the base umpire called a balk on starting pitcher Shamus Kumashiro, who delivered the pitch anyway. Catcher Preston Pires caught the ball and tagged out Harrison, and the umpires conferenced.
The balk call eventually was overruled and the tag-out stood, ending the rally.
"That was a big play because we had the momentum," said Surfriders coach Corey Ishigo. "It was an obvious balk, and Tyler stopped running because he knew it was a balk. But you cannot leave things up to the umpires in our league, because you never know what they're going to call."
Hirai acknowledged it was a crucial play.
"The umpires said (Kumashiro) never stepped off the rubber, so I said, 'If he never stepped off, then it's a legal pitch all the way,' " Hirai said. "It was a big call, because the run would have scored and the inning would have continued."
Kailua stretched the lead to 4-0 in the next inning after Aaron Kunioka's RBI double and a run-scoring fielder's choice, but Kalani answered with five runs in the bottom half.
After Pires' single brought in the first two runs, the Falcons loaded the bases with two outs. Darren Takemoto then hit a high fly ball to left field that dropped in for a rare three-run single to make it 5-4.
"I thought I popped it up, but when I looked it went over (the left fielder's) head," said Takemoto, who added he stumbled running to first base. "We just wanted whatever we could get in that inning. We needed to get on the scoreboard."
All five runs were unearned, aided by a passed ball and one-out error.
"Any decent team is going to capitalize on mistakes like that," Ishigo said.
Kalani avoided a Surfriders' rally in the fourth when center fielder Trevor Teraoka ran down a 400-foot fly ball hit by Kekoa Su'a with two outs and the bases loaded, and the Falcons added a run in the bottom half to make it 6-4. They went up 8-4 in the fifth after an error and Stuart Mikami's two-out RBI single.
Kailua scored two runs in the seventh after two singles and two outfield throwing errors, but reliever Josh Markwith came in to retire the side and seal the win.
"The ball bounced our way today," Takemoto said. "Every play counts, even the small plays."
Kailua (6-1) 022 000 2—6 7 3
Kalani (6-1) 005 120 x—8 13 3
Kevin Matsumoto, Preston Nakata (6) and Michael D'Alessio. Shamus Kumashiro, Jordan Sumida (4), Micah Takahashi (6), Josh Markwith (7) and Preston Pires. W—Sumida. L—Matsumoto. S—Markwith.
Leading hitters—Kailua: Tyler Harrison 2-3, double, 2 RBIs; Aaron Kunioka double, RBI. Kalani: Darren Takemoto 3 RBIs; Stuart Mikami 3-3, double, RBI; Pires 2-4, RBI; Ridge Carpenter 2-4; Marcus Fujita 2-3.
Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456.
• • •
Mckinley 13, Kalaheo 3
Roger Kraemer went 2 for 4 with a double, triple and two RBIs in the Tigers' victory over the Mustangs. Andrew Mitani and Kyle Nagatori also drove in two runs for McKinley.
Kalaheo (1-6) 010 02— 3 4 6
McKinley (3-5) 320 44—13 12 2
Kyle Okumura, Austin Kehrer (5) and David Pershin. Ryan Goto, Kalen Kuniyuki (5) and Andrew Mitani. W—Goto. L—Okumura.
Leading hitters: McKinley—Devin Okinaga double; Jarren Hirasaki double; Roger Kraemer 2-4, triple, double, 2 RBIs; Mitani 2-4, 2 RBIs; Kyle Nagatori 2-4, 2 RBIs; Jefferson Okada 2-3.
Reported by Jillian Tamaru
KAISER 6, ROOSEVELT 5
Jarryd Maeda singled in Neal Asato from second with the game-winning run as the Cougars rallied past the Rough Riders in the bottom of the seventh. Kaiser scored three runs in the seventh with two outs, including the tying run on a balk.
Roosevelt (6-2) 003 000 2—5 8 2
Kaiser (5-2) 003 000 3—6 11 2
David Chow, Keoni Manago (6) and Kevin Fujii. Reyn Kimura, Trent Hamada (3), Toby Inouye (7) and Jarryd Maeda. W—Inouye. L—Manago.
Leading hitters: Roosevelt—Fujii 2-3, triple, homer, 3 RBIs; Manago double; Nicolas Wong 2-3. Kaiser—Maeda 3-4, double; Scott Uehara 2-2; Landon Kaaua 2-4; Colby Ho homer, 2 RBIs.
Reported by Peter Ho
Kaimuki 14, Farrington 12
Corey Morihara had a two-run home run in the sixth inning, and also had three RBIs and scored four runs for the Bulldogs. Winning pitcher Kaeo Neal added three hits and four runs scored. Alex Mendoza hit a grand slam in the seventh inning for the Governors. Farrington sent 12 batters to the plate and scored seven runs in the inning.
Farrington (1-6) 002 012 7—12 3 2
Kaimuki (1-7) 442 013 x—14 11 8
Anthony Gabrillo, Nathan Serdenia (2), Andrew Ganaban (2) and Alison Tolentino, Gabrillo (2). Kaeo Neal, Corey Morihara (5), Perry Faleao (7), Akoni Sexton (7), Morihara (7) and Chase Nanod. W—Neal. L—Gabrillo.
Leading hitters: Farrington—Alex Mendoza grand slam, 3 runs, 4 RBIs; Gabrillo 2 runs; Tolentino double. Kaimuki—Daren Muramoto double, 3 runs; Neal 3-4, triple, 4 runs; Morihara 2-3, double, homer, 4 runs, 3 RBIs; Swaine Seto-Mook 3-4, double, 2 RBIs; Nanod 2 RBIs.
Reported by Duke Chinen
OIA West
Leilehua 13, Campbell 4
John Olley went 3 for 4 with five RBIs, and Kelsey Yoshikami added three hits and an RBI for the Mules.
Campbell (6-2) 400 000 0— 4 6 2
Leilehua (5-2) 231 430 x—13 17 2
James Bannister, Shaye Osoau (3), Blayne Dikito (5) and Ian Pantorilla. Andrew Ontai, Joshua Pastor (7) and Gavin Uyeda. W—Ontai. L—Bannister.
Leading hitters: Campbell—Victor Cachuela 2-3; Ramsey Sakamoto double, 2 RBIs. Leilehua—Ontai 2-4; Bryant Moniz 2-3, double; John Olley 3-4, double, 5 RBIs; Uyeda 2-4; Kelsey Yoshikami 3-3.
Reported by Kevin Tosaka
PEARL CITY 8, 'AIEA 7
Jason Tanabe scored the go-ahead run on a ground out by Dustin Kim Seu in the top of the eighth as the Chargers beat Na Ali'i. 'Aiea's Derek Grace hit a three-run homer and Shane Koga added a solo shot in the seventh to send the game into extra innings.
Pearl City (6-1) 100 203 11—8 11 2
'Aiea (5-2) 120 000 40—7 10 0
Craig Talantoc, Jason Tamanaha (6) and Paul Domingo. Lance Powell, Cody Akino (6), Hoku Piho (8) and Brian Morihara. W—Tamanaha. L—Piho.
Leading hitters: Pearl City—Rylan Nakahata 2-4, double; Dustin Kim Seu 2-4, double; Kurt Tanabe 2-4, double; Tate Ikehara 2-3, double; Domingo double; Thomas Yamasaki homer, 3 RBIs. 'Aiea—CJ Tausaga 3-3, double; Derek Grace 2-4, homer, 3 RBIs; Shane Koga homer; Kurt Nishi double.
Reported by Kristen Kato
Wai'anae 10, nanakuli 0
Andy Kuakini and Darius Fuller combined on a two-hitter with four strikeouts for the Seariders. Wai'anae's Clayton Uyechi and Josh Telles each had two RBIs.
Wai'anae (6-1) 215 20—10 8 0
Nanakuli (1-7) 000 00— 0 2 0
Andy Kuakini, Darius Fuller (5) and Peter Carba. Devan Harris and Nathan Naehu. W—Kuakini. L— Harris.
Leading hitters: Wai'anae—Clayton Uyechi 2-2, double, 2 runs, 2 RBIs; Josh Telles triple, 2 RBIs.
Reported by Kimo Kaululaau
MILILANI 19, WAIALUA 0
Kelsey Nakata and Curt Ueda combined on a two-hitter with six strikeouts as the Trojans routed the Bulldogs. Mililani's Matt Arakaki and Nakata each drove in three runs.
Mililani (7-0) 380 26—19 7 0
Waialua (0-7) 000 00— 0 2 1
Kelsey Nakata, Curt Ueda (4) and Kamaka Crabbe, Richie Manamo (4). Shawyn Peiler, Shyne Peiler (4), Justin Mangallan (5) and Mangallan, Peiler (5) W—Nakata. L—Peiler.
Leading hitters: Mililani—Tony Aquino triple, 2 RBIs; Matt Arakaki 3-5, double, 3 RBIs; Nakata 2-2, triple, 3 RBIs; Ryan Tsutsui 2 RBIs.
Reported by Herb Onizuka
Kapolei 4, Radford 3
Jon Santiago and Howard Vinhasa combined on a three-hitter for the Hurricanes. Kyle Blair and Sean Irish combined on a three-hitter for Radford.
Kapolei (3-4) 030 100 0—4 3 1
Radford (1-7) 000 003 0—3 4 4
Jon Santiago, Howard Vinhasa (5), Santiago (7). and Michael Kahalehoe, Justin Purvey (7). Kyle Blair, Sean Irish (4) and Kyle Howell. W—Santiago. L—Blair.
Leading hitters: Kapolei—Kahalehoe double. Radford—Kizuku Scott 2 RBIs.
Reported by James Sunday
ILH
Punahou 3, Iolani 0
Jared Pate pitched a six-hitter with four strikeouts, and Bucky Aona batted 2 for 3 with two RBIs and Kaohi Downing went 2 for 2 with a double for the Buffanblu.
Iolani (5-6) 000 000 0—0 6 2
Punahou (10-1) 001 020 x—3 6 2
Ian Mopas, Jon Sakoda (4), Jon Okada (5), Robson Bunda (6) and Riley Yamamoto. Jared Pate and Michael Chock. W—Pate. L—Mopas.
Leading hitters: Iolani—Kyson Morikuni double. Punahou—Bucky Aona 2-3, 2 RBIs; Kaohi Downing 2-2, double.
Reported by Punahou A.D.
MID-PACIFIC 3, PAC-FIVE 1
Jared Hara and Jayson Kramer combined on a five-hitter, and Adam Tamashiro went 2 for 4 with two RBIs for the Owls. Pac-Five's Aaron Chilcote and Tony Onitsuka each batted 2 for 3.
Mid-Pacific (8-4) 020 100 0—3 6 1
Pac-Five (2-10) 000 000 1—1 5 2
Jared Hara, Jayson Kramer (6) and Kip Masuda. Samson Aina, Tyler Simao (5) and Aaron Chilcote. W—Hara. L—Aina.
Leading hitters: Mid-Pacific—Adam Tamashiro 2-4, 2 RBIs; Chad Takabuki double; Blayne Fuke double. Pac-Five—Chilcote 2-3, double; Tony Onitsuka 2-3, double.
Reported by Gail Juan
Kamehameha 16, Maryknoll 6
Nick Freitas batted 2 for 4 with a triple and five RBIs as the Warriors beat the Spartans. Kamehameha had eight hits and benefitted from 10 errors. Stuart Kam and Kamu Freitas each drove in two runs for Kamehameha.
Kamehameha (10-2) 071 051 2—16 8 3
Maryknoll (1-11) 003 102 0— 6 6 10
Jon Worthington, Waylen Sing Chow (3), Troy Samura (6) and Stuart Kam. Peter Kirst, Spencer Kim (5), Nick Holmberg (6) and Ryan Matsumoto. W—Worthington. L—Kirst.
Leading hitters: Kamehameha—Nick Freitas 2-4, triple, 5 RBIs; Kam triple, 2 RBIs; Jamie Smeigh triple; Eli Chee 2-3, double, triple; Kamu Freitas 2 RBIs. Maryknoll—Brett Ikei 2-3, 2 doubles, 3 RBIs; Ikaika Duyag double.
Reported by Pua Hayashi
