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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Neal was nearly perfect in Pearl City's victory


By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

"We tried to break his rhythm, but he didn't let us," Campbell coach Rory Pico said of Kahana Neal.

NORMAN SHAPIRO | The Honolulu Advertiser

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Patiently waiting his turn in Pearl City High School's deep pitching rotation, senior Kahana Neal made the most of it in last Wednesday's 4-0 victory over visiting Campbell.

Neal, a 6-foot-3, 170-pound right-hander, pitched a perfect game through five innings and finished with a one-hitter.

The only Saber to reach base was Cole Nagamine, who lined a sharp single to right field to lead off the top of the sixth inning. He advanced to second base on a wild pitch, but was stranded there as Neal got a popup and two strikeouts to get out of the inning.

Neal then set down Campbell in order in the seventh, finishing with nine strikeouts.

"He did a good job mixing it up and hitting his spots," Sabers coach Rory Pico said. "We tried to break his rhythm, but he didn't let us."

Neal said his approach was simple.

"I just threw whatever the catcher (Isaac Shim) called," he said. "He called a good game."

Neal was excited about the game since it was only his second start of the O'ahu Interscholastic Association season. He had only pitched eight innings in league play before Wednesday.

"We've been trying to stick to a rotation so that we'll be ready for the playoffs," Chargers coach Gary Nakamoto said.

It has worked, as Pearl City already has clinched the OIA Red Conference Western Division title with a 10-0 record and two regular-season games remaining.

Neal also has his future beyond high school set, as he accepted an offer to play for Arizona Western College next season.

BASEBALL

Mililani 8, 'Aiea 1: Micah Kitaoka and Micah Kajiwara teamed on a four-hitter, and Andrew Benitez and Tanner Nakasone each had three hits to propel the Trojans.

MILILANI (7-3) 002 221 1—8 13 1

'AIEA (3-7) 000 000 1—1 4 6

Micah Kitaoka, Micah Kajiwara (6) and Kacey Miyasato. Travis Uyeda, Tyler Agtang (5) and Chase Iwata. W — Kitaoka. L — Uyeda.

Leading hitters — Mililani: Andrew Benitez 3-5, double; Tanner Nakasone 3-3, 3 runs; Jared Ichimura 2-3, double. 'Aiea: Chase Aquino triple.

SOFTBALL

Maryknoll 11, Sacred Hearts 1: Brianna Guro pitched a four-hitter with seven strikeouts and batted 3 for 5, and Kori Nishitomi had three hits, including a two-run homer, to lift the Spartans.

MARYKNOLL (3-5) 702 002—11 16 1

SACRED HEARTS (1-7) 010 000— 1 4 1

Brianna Guro and Carolann Toyama. Jordyn Waraka and Victoria Simpson. W — Guro. L — Waraka.

Leading hitters — Maryknoll: Mieko Okimura 3-4, 3 runs; Kori Nishitomi 3-4, homer, double, 3 runs, 3 RBIs; Jessica Guillermo 4 RBIs; Kiana Fuller 3-5; Guro 3-5, double; Kristin Yamasaki double. Sacred Hearts: Jordan Nelson 2-3, homer.

Reported by John Uekawa