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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, May 8, 2009

Holt provides relief for Warriors

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

For the second time in five days, Harley Holt delivered some big-time relief for the Kamehameha baseball team.

Holt, a 5-foot-10, 140-pound senior right-hander, pitched 5 2/3 innings of shutout relief yesterday to help the Warriors hold off Kamehameha-Maui, 3-1, in the Wally Yonamine Foundation Baseball State Championship quarterfinals.

Kamehameha, the Interscholastic League of Honolulu runner-up, improved to 18-5 in the regular and postseason and will face the winner of last night's late quarterfinal between Pearl City and Punahou in tonight's semifinals at Les Murakami Stadium.

The Pearl City-Punahou quarterfinal ended after this edition's deadline

Holt, who was not even among Kamehameha's top three starters throughout the season, pitched 5 2/3 innings of shutout relief in a loss to 'Iolani in last Saturday's ILH title game.

"I was a little nervous these last two games, but I just had to always be ready and come in and throw strikes," Holt said. "I tried to keep the ball low, hit my spots and trust the defense."

Kamehameha took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first after Jacob Meyer doubled, stole third and scored on a double to right by Pi'ikea Kitamura. The Warriors made it 2-0 in the second on Keanu Carmichael's home run over the left field fence.

Kamehameha-Maui — the Maui Interscholastic League champion — cut it to 2-1 in the bottom half after Isaiah Kaneakua led off with a walk, took second on Ethan Cabatingan's sacrifice bunt, third after two walks and scored on Evan Garces' groundout to short.

But Holt, whose first batter was Garces, got another grounder to end the inning and allowed only one runner past first base the rest of the game.

Kamehameha got an insurance run in the seventh after Josh Wong singled with one out, took second on Meyer's sacrifice bunt, third on Kalei Hanawahine's single and home on a wild pitch.

KAMEHAMEHA (18-5) 110 000 1—3 9 0

KS-MAUI (11-5) 010 000 0—1 2 1

Bryson Kenolio, Harley Holt (2) and Keanu Carmichael. Isaiah Kaneakua and Ethan Cabatingan. W — Holt. L — Kaneakua.

Leading hitters — Kamehameha: Jacob Meyer 2-3, double; Pi'ikea Kitamura 2-4, double; Carmichael homer; Josh Wong 2-3. Kamehameha-Maui: None.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.