‘Iolani stays alive in ILH with close win over Punahou

Kaimana Bartolome didn’t waver when asked if he was nervous pitching with the bases loaded and the game on the line Friday.

"No. I felt confident that I could get the ball over the plate and that my defense would get some outs," said the ‘Iolani right-hander, who got out of bases-loaded jams in the sixth and seventh innings for the save in the Raiders’ 3-1 victory over Punahou at Ala Wai Community Park. 

He also saved the season and eliminated the Buffanblu (5-10) in the process.

With two outs in the seventh, Punahou’s Heisman Hosoda stepped to the plate with three runners on. He hit a grounder up the middle and shortstop Matt Campos made a forceout at second to end it.

"See ball. Hit ball," Hosoda said he was thinking with the season on the line. "I’m disappointed, not so much for myself, but for the whole team and especially the seniors. Those guys are my boys."

The Raiders (5-10) are in the ILH chase for another day, at least. They play Kamehameha on Saturday at 9 a.m., facing elimination again. If the Warriors (8-6) lose, they will be out of the tournament, but will still have a chance to get a state berth.

"We expect to see their ace, (Codie) Paiva, and he’s beaten us three times this season," ‘Iolani coach Brent Shimokawa said.

Shimokawa did not know who his Saturday starter would be, but is leaning toward Austin Jim On or Bronson Ichimura.

Shimokawa feels fortunate his boys get to play again.

"We’re lucky Punahou didn’t come up with that big hit," he said. "They had ample opportunity to cash in. They were one base hit away. It could have gone either way."

‘Iolani pitcher Brandon Yanagi, in relief of Everett Lau, was the winner. He didn’t give up a run and scattered three hits in 31/3 innings.

Lau walked three batters to start the game, allowing Punahou’s only run, and was reinserted later for an effective two innings. He didn’t give up a hit.

Punahou starter Noah Goss was the loser, allowing three unearned runs in five innings. 

The Buffanblu committed four errors, including two on ground balls that allowed runs to score and one that put a runner into scoring position before coming home.

In the first inning, Bartolome had the game’s only RBI hit for a 1-0 Raiders lead. 

The Buffanblu made it 1-1 in the bottom half on Allan Dong’s sacrifice fly.

Jim On and Campos each doubled and scored on errors for ‘Iolani’s next two runs in the third and fifth frames for the final 3-1 count.

"Bases loaded in the sixth and seventh, what more can you ask for besides the ‘W’?" Punahou coach Keenan Sue said. "We didn’t hit when we needed to and ‘Iolani willed themselves to win the game."

Everett Lau, Brandon Yanagi (1), Lau (4), Kaimana Bartolome (6) and Josh Inaba. Noah Goss, Riley Giueb (6) and Matt Nakamoto. W–Yanagi. L–Goss.

Leading hitters–‘Iolani: Austin Jim On 2b, 2 runs; Matt Campos 2b; Corey Nakakura 2b.

Pac-Five 9, Damien 1

Dayne Ramos batted 2-for-3 with two doubles and four RBIs and allowed one run over five innings in the Wolfpack’s victory over the Monarchs.