honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, April 2, 2006

Kailua topples Kalani, goes to 3-0 in OIA

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

KAILUA — Shaking off rust and raindrops, Kailua held off visiting Kalani, 5-1, yesterday in a key O'ahu Interscholastic Association baseball showdown.

The Surfriders improved to 3-0 in the OIA's Eastern Division; Kalani fell to 2-1.

Cowboy Alvarado and Patrick Murphy combined on a five-hitter, and Keli'i Klobucar went 3 for 3 with three doubles and three RBIs for Kailua, which scored single runs in the first three innings before making it 5-1 in the fourth after Klobucar's two-run double.

The performance was impressive considering the Surfriders had not had a game or full practice in seven days because of constant rain that left their field soggy even in yesterday's long-awaited sunshine.

"We just had to stick it out and do whatever we could do (this past week)," said Klobucar, a senior right fielder. "We tried to do conditioning and get mentally ready for today."

Kailua took the lead quickly yesterday, after Preston Nakata walked to lead off the bottom of the first, advanced to second on Zach Akamine's sacrifice bunt and scored on Klobucar's two-out double to the right field corner.

The Surfriders made it 2-0 one inning later after Makana Opiopio walked with one out, advanced to second on Nakata's single to right and scored on Mike D'Alessio's two-out single to left.

"They were able to manufacture runs, that was the main thing," Falcons coach Shannon Hirai said. "They hit the ball well, they bunted to get runners into scoring position and they put the ball in play to get them home."

Kalani cut it to 2-1 in the third after Keola Wakazuru singled with one out and scored on Ridge Carpenter's two-out double down the left field line.

Kailua answered with back-to-back doubles by Klobucar and Kurt Sasaoka, then made it 5-1 in the fourth after Klobucar's two-run double.

Kalani ace Micah Takahashi, a junior right-hander, sat out yesterday's game with a strained back. Hirai said he should be available for either tomorrow's game against Kalaheo or Wednesday's game vs. Roosevelt.

Klobucar said the Surfriders' offensive strategy did not change despite Takahashi's absence.

"We focused on getting to the next batter — that's going to do it for us no matter who is pitching," Klobucar said.

There weren't many dry spots on the field yesterday, and a big puddle in center made that area especially treacherous. But at least the weather was dry enough to play in, something that did not happen most of the week.

"We hit on Monday, but that was it because there's no roof (on the batting cage)," Kailua coach Corey Ishigo said. "We couldn't take ground balls because the field was too wet. The pitchers threw a little bit in the gym on Thursday, but there was no bullpen (session)."

KALANI (2-1) 001 000 0 — 1 5 2

KAILUA (3-0) 111 200 X — 5 9 0

Shamus Kumashiro, Jordan Sumida (2), Darren Takemoto (4) and Josh Markwith. Cowboy Alvarado, Patrick Murphy (3) and Mike D'Alessio. W—Murphy. L—Kumashiro.

Leading hitters — Kalani: Ridge Carpenter 3-3, double, RBI. Kailua: Keli'i Klobucar 3-4, 3 doubles, 3 RBIs; D'Alessio 2-4, RBI.

THREE GAMES POSTPONED: The Kaimuki-Farrington, McKinley-Kalaheo and Kahuku-Moanalua games were postponed because of wet fields.

OIA WEST DIVISION

KAPOLEI 6, RADFORD 1

Jon Santiago combined with Mike Kahalehoe on a three-hitter and went 2 for 4 with an RBI to help the Hurricanes defeat the visiting Rams.

RADFORD (1-1) 000 100 0 — 1 3 4

KAPOLEI (2-1) 150 000 X — 6 9 2

Mike Goodman, Justin Lord (6) and Chris Stutz; Jon Santiago, Mike Kahalehoe (5) and Kahalehoe, Trenton Nakata (5). W — Santiago. L — Goodman.

Leading hitters — Radford: Matt Psuneda double. Kapolei: J. Santiago 2-4, RBI; Curtis Donald 2-4; Aaron Santiago 2-4, RBI; Mark Paparelli double.

Reported by Tom Ebanez

WAI'ANAE 10, NANAKULI 0

Joshua Telles, Matt Vossen and Ben Mcquown combined on a two-hitter as the Seariders remained unbeaten.

Barak Holt batted 2 for 4 with three RBIs and William Duseigner went 3 for 3 for Wai'anae.

NANAKULI (0-1) 000 000 0 — 0 2 9

WAI'ANAE (3-0) 204 112 X —10 14 1

Lancen Koko, Ainoa Oliveira (5) and Curtis Wright; Joshua Telles, Matt Vossen (5), Ben Mcquown (6) and Andy Kuakini, RJ Tacgere (5). W — Telles. L —Koko.

Leading hitters — Wai'anae: Barak Holt 2-4, 3 RBIs; Kuakini 2-2, double; William Duseigner 3-3, RBI; Mcquown triple.

Reported by Pua'ala Calarruda

MILILANI 27, WAIALUA 0

Bryce Rivera, Dustin Antolin, Brandon Akiyoshi and Blayne Kamahiai combined for nine strikeouts and a one-hitter for the Trojans' first shutout since 2003.

WAIALUA (0-3) 0 0 0 00 — 0 1 3

MILILANI (2-1) (12)0(13) 2X —27 24 0

Joshua Whittaker, Daniel Hollemback (2), Derrick Nacario (3), Bryce Whittaker (4) and Jacob Valmoja. Bryce Rivera, Dustin Antolin (4), Brandon Akiyoshi (5), Blayne Kamahiai (5) and Richie Mariano. W—Rivera. L—J. Whittaker.

Leading hitters — Mililani: Kamahiai 2-6, 2 RBIs; Tojo Ishida 2-3, 2 RBIs; Dustin Antolin 4-5, 3 RBIs; Andrew Koishigawa 2-2; Kylen Cadiam 2-2; Travis Jones 2-2; Mariano 2 RBIs; Akiyoshi 2-3, 2 RBIs; Joey Aquino 2 RBIs.

Reported by Dean Sato

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.