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More often than not, Interscholastic League of Honolulu baseball games are high-pressure, seesaw struggles between friends.
That formula was completely intact Wednesday, when Mid-Pacific showed up at the ‘Iolani campus for a matchup of .500 teams and rallied for three runs in the sixth inning for a 9-6 victory over the Raiders.
So now, four of six teams, including the fourth-ranked Owls (3-2), have three wins, and one team, 10th-ranked ‘Iolani (2-3), has two in the tightly contested ILH, where it’s common for opponents to be good friends and acquaintances and summer-league teammates with each other.
Owls head coach Dunn Muramaru was surely glad to be leaving the ‘Iolani field with a win, knowing that his team will be back at the same venue on Saturday against the same team.
“They had six runs on home runs,” he said. “You can’t do anything about it, just pitch a little smarter. The ILH (competition), it’s crazy. I’m glad we got out of here. I mean, we play anyplace else, they don’t score that many runs. You’ve got to give them credit, though. They hit the ball well.”
With the score knotted at 6-all, the Owls got it done with a two-out rally in the sixth. Leadoff batter Zach Gushiken walked and was eventually gunned down at the plate on a fielder’s choice for the second out. But after a costly ‘Iolani error, Chase Wago’s single to left scored Hunter Hill, who barely eluded a tag on a play at the plate, for what turned out to be winning run. Two more runs scored on Trevin Tengan’s infield hit and another Raiders’ error.
In the bottom of the seventh, Mid-Pacific reliever Jake Maekawa gave up an infield hit before getting the three needed outs to end it. He pitched two innings to earn the save for left-handed starter Alex Oley, who gave up three home runs but earned the win, giving way to Maekawa in the bottom of the sixth with that 9-6 lead.
“It was a team win today,” Oley said. “Coaches tell us that they would rather have us grind it out instead of smashing a team because it builds character. The team really had my back today. Jake, Ryne (Yamashiro), Wago, they came up with clutch hits and made sure I wasn’t down at any point.”
‘Iolani fought back from deficits twice with those three home runs. In the third, Matt Campos drilled a three-run shot to center field, estimated at 370 feet, and the next batter, Everett Lau, followed up with a solo shot to right-center to make it 4-4. In the fifth, Lau cranked a two-run homer to right for a 6-6 count.
“Both times, we gave the lead right back,” said Raiders head coach Kurt Miyahira, whose team gave up all nine runs with two outs. “They’re a veteran team. We’ve gotta learn to finish … finish the inning. When we do tie the game up, we’ve got to put up a zero and get our offense back in there. That’s how we’re going to build a lead, by putting up zeroes and putting quality at-bats together. We’re just not ready right now. The lights are too bright for us. We’re a team in progress. I’ve just got to prep them better.”
Yamashiro paced the Mid-Pacific offense early with an RBI single in the first and a run-scoring double in the third before scoring two at-bats later on Cameron Wong’s double. In the fourth, Wago’s hit to right scored one run and another runner came home on an ‘Iolani outfield bobble for a 6-4 lead.
No. 4 Mid-Pacific 9, No. 10 ‘Iolani 6
| At ‘Iolani |
| Mid-Pacific (3-2) |
202 |
203 |
0 |
— |
9 |
8 |
2 |
| ‘Iolani (2-3) |
004 |
020 |
0 |
— |
6 |
6 |
5 |
Alex Oley, Jacob Maekawa (6) and Kyle Layugan. Logan Yee, Jordan Iwawaki (5) and Devin Ide.
W–Oley. L–Iwasaki. S-Maekawa
Leading hitters–MPI: Maekawa 2 runs; Chase Wago 2-4, 2 RBI, SB, 2 runs; Ryne Yamashiro 2-3, 2B, 2 RBI, SB, 2 runs; Trevin Tengan RBI; Cameron Wong 2B, RBI; Layugan 2-4; Hunter Hill 2 runs. Iol: Matt Campos HR, 3 RBI; Everett Lau 2 HR, 3 RBI.
ILH DIVISION II BASEBALL
Damien 11, Hanalani 10
Damien’s Jayden Cabbab drove in the tying run and the winning run came on an error on the same play as the Monarchs overcame a four-run deficit in the bottom of the seventh inning to beat the Royals.
| At Ala Wai Field |
| Hanalani (1-4) |
530 |
000 |
2 |
— |
10 |
10 |
5 |
| Damien (2-3) |
000 |
204 |
5 |
— |
11 |
9 |
4 |
Chad Wakabayashi, Aaron Leong (6), Cyan Garma (7) and Reyn Romero. Jayden Cabbab, Javin Cortez (2), Grayson Bueno (2) and Kama Schuman.
W–Bueno. L–Garma.
Leading hitters–Hana: Romero 2-4, HR, 2 RBI; Matt Tsutsui 2-4, 2B, RBI; Wakabayashi 2B, RBI; Garma 2-4, RBI; Tyler Lee 2B. DMS: Chason Aki 2-4, 2B, RBI; Cabbab 3-3, 2 RBI; Schuman HR, 2 RBI; Kajiwara 2B, 2 runs.
St. Francis 12, Pac-Five 7
Jacob Poole and Jared Yara each had two hits as the Saints remained unbeaten in league play with a victory over the Wolfpack.
| At Goeas Field |
| St. Francis (5-0) |
212 |
043 |
0 |
— |
12 |
7 |
3 |
| Pac-Five (2-3) |
110 |
102 |
2 |
— |
7 |
9 |
5 |
Jared Yara, Shawn Ellis (7) and catcher not reported. Lee Tanaka, Brett Watanabe (5), Canaan Fernandez (6), Casey Nakamura (7) and catcher not reported.
W–Yara. L–Tanaka.
Leading hitters–StF: Jacob Poole 2-4, 2B, 2 runs; Jared Yara 2-4, 3B, 2 runs; Ian Phillips 2B, 2 RBI; Alek Miyasato run, 2 RBI. P5: Matt Matsuda 2-4, 2 RBI; Zane Oshiro 2-4, 4 runs; Tanaka 2-3, run.
OIA EAST DIVISION I BASEBALL
No. 6 Kalani 5, Kaiser 2
Connor Zalewski earned the win with six strikeouts as the Falcons broke away from the Cougars. Zalewski, who has signed to play for the University of Hawaii next year, is now 2-0 with a 0.86 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 21 innings in league play.
| At Kalani |
| Kaiser (1-3) |
020 |
000 |
0 |
— |
2 |
4 |
2 |
| Kalani (5-0) |
110 |
030 |
x |
— |
5 |
10 |
3 |
Chase Asuncion and catcher not reported. Connor Zalewski and catcher not reported.
W–Zalewski. L–Asuncion.
Leading hitters–Kais: Casey Takei 2-3, run. Kaln: Reece Kakugawa 2-3, 3B, RBI, run; Zalewski 2-4, RBI; Bronson Matsumoto 3-4.
Roosevelt 3, Castle 0
Hiram Kaikaina allowed just five hits over seven innings and also went 2-for-3 with two RBIs to lift the Rough Riders past the Knights.
| At Castle |
| Roosevelt (2-2) |
101 |
000 |
1 |
— |
3 |
7 |
0 |
| Castle (1-3) |
000 |
000 |
0 |
— |
0 |
5 |
1 |
Hiram Kaikaina and Jared Tamashiro. Maui Gaison, Jordan Harvest (6) and Brylan Kaneshiro.
W–Kaikaina. L–Gaison.
Leading hitters–Roos: Kaikaina 2-3, 2 RBI; Koby Brown 2-3, 2B. Cast: Hunter Paredes 2B; Logan Madrona 2B; Harvest 2B.
OIA WEST DIVISION I BASEBALL
No. 1 Pearl City 12, Leilehua 1, 5 inn.
Trenton Darley struck out six in four innings as the Chargers romped the Mules.
| At Leilehua |
| Pearl City (5-0) |
142 |
05 |
— |
12 |
7 |
2 |
| Leilehua (1-3) |
000 |
10 |
— |
1 |
2 |
3 |
Trenton Darley, Dillon Hasegawa (5) and Kaleb Nishijo. Christian Ontai, Nolan Tumacder (2), Kawai Phifer (3), Jansen Dangaran (5), Raven Demmert (5) and Jaryn Kanbara.
W–Darley. L–Ontai.
Leading hitters–PC: Davin Kapuras 2-3, 3 RBI, run; Matt Yokota 2-4, HR, 4 RBI, 2 runs; Nishijo 2B.
Aiea 12, Waipahu 6
Jarred Uyeda earned the win with five strikeouts over five innings and recorded a trio of doubles to carry Na Alii over the Marauders.
| At Aiea |
| Waipahu (1-3) |
100 |
021 |
2 |
— |
6 |
11 |
2 |
| Aiea (3-1) |
141 |
105 |
X |
— |
12 |
13 |
2 |
Kobie Russell, Gabriel Ballesteros (5), Khaine Viliamu (6) and catcher not reported. Jarred Uyeda, Bronson Nekomoto (6) and catcher not reported.
W–Uyeda. L–Russell.
Leading hitters–Waip: Jaron Sugimoto 2-3, 2B, RBI, 2 runs; Rayson Carriaga 2-4, RBI; Viliamu 3-4, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, run; Cole Phillips 2-4, run; Steven Desilva HR, RBI, run. Aiea: Ty Matsunami 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 3 runs; Uyeda 3-4, 3 2B, 3 RBI, 2 runs; Jayvin Alcantra 2-4, 2B, RBI; Kyle Machida 2 runs.
Waianae 1, Campbell 0
Thomas Kaauwai singled to center and drove in the lone run to lift the Seariders.
| At Campbell |
| Waianae (1-4) |
000 |
010 |
0 |
— |
1 |
4 |
2 |
| Campbell (1-3) |
000 |
000 |
0 |
— |
0 |
1 |
1 |
Tavita Lalau and catcher not reported. Jamin Kalaola, Dylan Florentin (5), Chad Samante (7) and catcher not reported.
W–Lalau. L–Kalaola.
Leading hitters–Wain: Coltin Nash-Santiago 2B; Rico Rosario 2B, run, Thomas Kaauwai 2-3, RBI.
OIA DIVISION II BASEBALL
Kalaheo 13, Waialua 2
Thomas Capllonch recorded seven strikeouts and Tennison Cantrell went 4-for-5 to lead the Mustangs.
| At Waialua |
| Kalaheo (1-1-1) |
005 |
402 |
2 |
— |
13 |
7 |
1 |
| Waialua (1-1-1) |
001 |
010 |
0 |
— |
2 |
4 |
4 |
Thomas Capllonch, Tennison Cantrell (5) and Kaliu Lapera, Curtis Chung Jr. (6). R. Tashiro, M. Hatchie (7) and catcher not reported. W–Capllonch. L–Tashiro.
Leading hitters–Kalh: Cantrell 4-5, 4 RBI, 3 runs; Lapera 3 runs; Capllonch 3B, 2 RBI, 2 runs; Chung 2B, 2 RBI; Gabriel Guebara 2 runs. Wail: Tashiro 2-3, 2B, run.
Kapolei 10,
Farrington 0, 5 inn.
Kamea Wong pitched a one-hit shutout as the Hurricanes beat the Governors.
| At Kapolei |
| Farrington (1-1) |
000 |
00 |
— |
0 |
1 |
3 |
| Kapolei (2-0) |
400 |
33 |
— |
10 |
11 |
1 |
Paul Madamba, Trey Kaawa (1), Bishop Rapoza (5) and Brett Walden. Kamea Wong and Mykah Kuratani, Landon Kuroda (5).
W–Wong. L–Madamba.
Leading hitters–Kapo: Corey Slade 2-4, RBI, 3 runs; Joe Uesato 2-4, RBI; Josh Wallwork HR, 2 RBI; Kuroda 2B, 2 RBI; Andrei Stoyanow 2B.
McKinley 5, Nanakuli 4
Royden Espiritu struck out eight batters as the Tigers held onto the win against the Golden Hawks.
| At Nanakuli |
| McKinley (1-1) |
310 |
001 |
0 |
— |
5 |
9 |
1 |
| Nanakuli (1-1) |
002 |
020 |
0 |
— |
4 |
9 |
0 |
Royden Espiritu, Cameron Fernandez (5) and Elijah Vincent, Espiritu (5). Chy Lute, Lex Kunukau (6) and Jerry Waa.
W–Fernandez. L–Lute.
Leading hitters–McK: Fernandez 2-3, 2B, RBI, run; Vincent 2-2, RBI, run; Espiritu 2B, 2 runs; Jeremy Coloyan 2B, RBI, run. Nana: Chuck Hoopai 3-4, 2B, 2 RBI; Kunukau 2-3, run; Nai Banks 3B, RBI, run.
biIF baseball
Hilo 2, KS-Hawaii 0
ILH SOFTBALL
No. 3 Kamehameha 17,
St. Francis 7, 6 inn.
Dallas Millwood posted three hits and a homer as the Warriors thumped the Saints in six innings.
| At Ala Wai Field |
| KS (3-0) |
20(10) |
203 |
— |
17 |
15 |
6 |
| St. Francis (0-3) |
020 |
041 |
— |
4 |
11 |
3 |
Mahina Sauer, Luana Low (6) and Kalei Kaneshiro. Caryn Chinen, Tiare Guerrero (3) and Taiana Creekmur. W–Sauer. L–Chinen.
Leading hitters–KS: Dallas Millwood 3-4, HR, 5 RBI, 2 runs; Sauer 2B, 2 runs; Davian Ugaitafa 3-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI; Kaneshiro 2B; Rayla Jacobs-Kea 2-3. StF: Creekmur 2-3, 2B, RBI, 2 runs; Sammie Ofoia HR, 3 RBI; Kenna Santos 2B.
No. 4 Maryknoll 12,
Pac-Five 4
Nohea Hee went 4-for-5 with two doubles to lead the Spartans over the Wolfpack.
| At Ala Wai Field |
| Maryknoll (3-0) |
100 |
406 |
1 |
— |
12 |
14 |
3 |
| Pac-Five (2-1) |
100 |
021 |
0 |
— |
4 |
6 |
3 |
Maia McNicoll and Nohea Hee. Megan Yoshioka, Kiara Peterson (5) and Alisha Candelario.
W–McNicoll. L–Yoshioka.
Leading hitters–Mryk: Hee 4-5, 2B, 3 RBI, 3 runs; Bree Soma 3-4, 3B, RBI, 2 runs; Baylie Kahele 2-4, RBI; Kamalei Labasan 2-3, RBI, 2 runs. P5: Karley Ann Yoshioka 3-4, run; Brazzlyn Tovio-Asato 2-3, HR, 2 RBI, run.
No. 6 Punahou 6,
Mid-Pacific 4
Heaven Wong homered and Kennedy Ishii drove in three runs as the Buffanblu held on to beat the Owls.
| At Mid-Pacific |
| Punahou (2-1) |
000 |
013 |
2 |
— |
6 |
10 |
1 |
| Mid-Pacific (0-3) |
001 |
000 |
3 |
— |
4 |
11 |
3 |
Jolie Fujita, Lauren Mooney (7) and Janelle Sato. Jaeda Cabunoc and Lia Nakamoto.
W–Fujita. L–Cabunoc. S–Mooney.
Leading hitters–Pun: Janell Sato 2-3, RBI; Kennedy Ishii 2-4, 2B, 3 RBI; Elyse Nakamoto 2-4; Heaven Wong 2-4, 3B, HR, 2 RBI. MPI: Taylor Estrada 2-3; Michaela Fonoti 2-3, run; Beyli Correa 2-4; Skylar Tanaka 2-4, HR, run, 4 RBI.
oia east division I softball
Kaiser 15,
McKinley 0, 5 inn.
Seli Aholelei recorded 10 strikeouts in five innings, homered and drove in four runs to lead the Cougars over the Tigers.
| At McKinley |
| Kaiser (4-0) |
451 |
41 |
— |
15 |
14 |
0 |
| McKinley (0-2) |
000 |
00 |
— |
0 |
1 |
4 |
Seli Aholelei and Tiana Ching-Lake. Espinda, #22 and catcher not reported.
W–Aholelei. L–Espinda.
Leading hitters–Kais: Elyse Tsutsui 3-4, 3 runs; Chelsea Soong 2 runs; S. Aholelei 2-3, HR, 4 RBI, run; Marissa Oda 2-4, 2B, RBI, 2 runs; Kayla Russell 2 runs; T. Ching-Lake 3B, 2 RBI, run; Crystal Ching-Lake 2B, RBI, run; Precious Aholelei 2-4, 2B, 3 RBIs.
72