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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, April 19, 2007

Roosevelt beats Kaiser to stay unbeaten

Video: Highlights of Roosevelt/Kaiser game

By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer

Roosevelt's Keoni Manago sure didn't look like someone who pitched only 4 1/3 innings prior to last night.

Manago allowed just one run and one hit over five innings of relief with four walks and eight strikeouts as Roosevelt remained unbeaten with an 8-5 victory over Kaiser at Central O'ahu Regional Park.

Roosevelt (7-0-1) took sole possession of first in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Eastern Division. Kaiser fell to 5-3.

Manago retired the first six batters he faced in relief of starter Kelson Okimoto, who allowed four runs over two innings.

"I was feeling pretty good," said Manago, a senior right-hander. "My pitches were moving and my fastball was going pretty good."

The only hit Manago allowed was in the seventh when the center fielder overran a fly ball to left-center. The runner came around to score on a ground out.

"He just did the job against us," Kaiser coach Peter Ho said. "We only had one (hit) and that was misplayed."

Manago, who threw 56 of his 97 pitches for strikes, struck out the side in the fourth and sixth innings.

"I was worried about the pitch count because he's just coming back from a shoulder injury," Roosevelt coach Craig Arakawa said. "But I knew he would clutch up. He's always like that. He'll come out and do the best for the team."

Manago said he hurt his rotator cuff in a preseason game against Wai'anae.

"I threw a weird splitter and my arm kind of popped, and that was it," he said.

Prior to last night, according to Arakawa, Manago threw three innings against Kahuku and 1 1/3 against Kalaheo.

"I didn't think I had it in me, but the adrenaline kept me going throughout the game," Manago said.

The Rough Riders scored in every inning except the fifth, including three in the first off three Kaiser errors.

They scored the go-ahead run in the third on an RBI single by Nick Dang, which made it 5-4. TJ Bae added a run-scoring single later in the inning.

Every Roosevelt starter reached base at least once with Christian Awaya going 3 for 3 with two RBIs. Manago, who reached base all four times, and Nick Wong each had two extra-base hits.

"Fortunately, we've been getting guys on base and they've been clutching up and bringing them in. That relaxes the team," Arakawa said. "They've been doing that pretty much the whole year."

KAISER (5-3) 220 000 1—5 6 1

ROOSEVELT (7-0-1) 312 101 X—8 10 3

Zachary Wong, Pono Meyer (4) and Bryce Marcouiller. Kelson Okimoto, Keoni Manago (3) and Tyler Nitahara. W — Manago. L — Wong.

Leading hitters: Kais—Calvin Tashiro 2-3, 2 runs; Dustin Dela Pena 2-4, triple, 2 RBIs; Michael Kawashima double, 2 runs. Roos—Manago 2-2, double, triple; Nick Wong 2-4, 2 doubles, 2 runs; Justin Otaguro 2 runs; Christian Awaya 3-3, 2 RBIs.

Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com.