Punahou pounds Kamehameha
Punahou's Kevin Tongg made contact with a pitch in the sixth inning of the Buffanblu's win over Kamehameha yesterday.
Eric Kadooka would never get too excited about a team hitting the ball as well as his Punahou Buffanblu.
But in reality, they might be the big blue crushers this season. Rick Nomura, a switch-hitting junior, continued his tear with a 3-for-4 smack-a-thon as Punahou rolled over Kamehameha 11-1 in a game shortened to six innings due to the 10-run rule.
The game was the first in a three-game set between the teams at Ala Wai Field.
Coming off a 2-1 series win over ‘Iolani last week, Punahou amassed 13 hits off four Kamehameha pitchers, but it was untimely errors — five in all — that put the game out of reach for the young Warriors (0-4). Punahou’s commitment was evident on Friday, the day before the game.
The tsunami warning that resulted from the 8.9 magnitude earthquake in Japan left Punahou with no school and practice.
"We had an all-players practice," said Nomura, who noted that players had most of their gear locked in Punahou’s locker room. The team met at Manoa Park for an informal workout.
Don't miss out on what's happening!
Stay in touch with top news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It's FREE!
"We brought stuff from home. I didn’t have my cleats," Nomura said. "It was a time to feel your rhythm. This group is really close."
Nomura, who also handled several grounders cleanly at third base, finished with three RBIs and scored three runs.
Kadooka resisted the temptation to compare Nomura’s recent string of hot hitting to previous Buffanblu standouts.
"He’s a really humble coach," Nomura said. "But you’ve got to give credit to Kamehameha. They go after you. They’re not scared. If I look for a walk, I’m not going to do good."
Punahou used three pitchers — Dylan Combs, Scott Peters and Tyler Kanazawa.
"Our young pitchers, it’s trial by fire," Kadooka said. "We walked a ton of guys. In this league, you’ll get hurt. We were lucky."
Combs pitched three innings and got the win despite walking four. Peters, a crafty southpaw, and Kanazawa finished the last three innings.
"My team pulled me up even though I wasn’t hitting my spots," said Peters, a 6-foot-1 senior with a lot of movement on his breaking pitches. "It’s all day to day, and today, it wasn’t there, but it’s a team sport."
Two unearned runs gave Punahou the lead after one inning. Lanson Yamamoto reached on a passed ball on a third strike and came in to score on a single to right by Ryan Yamane. Rick Nomura, who reached on an error in right field, scored on a sacrifice bunt by Jordan Hirai.
After another Kamehameha error, Punahou stranded two baserunners in the second inning.
Kamehameha eked out a run in the top of the third. Joe Yokoi walked, took second on a balk by Combs and stole third before coming home on a sacrifice fly to shallow center by Alika McGuire.
Kamehameha resumed its generosity in the bottom of the third. Nomura singled and later scored on a wild pitch by Brennan Doane-Alcos. With two outs and the bases loaded, Kukonu’s throw back to the mound was off-target, allowing Yamane to sprint home from third with another unearned run.
Punahou led 4-1 entering the fourth and added three more runs in the bottom of the frame.
Nomura’s two-run opposite-field double plated two runs and pinch hitter Noah Willey delivered a single to left, bringing Nomura home for a 7-1 Punahou lead.
Kamehameha threatened in the top of the fifth against Punahou reliever Scott Peters, who walked two batters and hit another. With the bases loaded and one out, Peters struck out Pookela Benanua and induced Brad Nueku into a groundout to end the inning.
The Buffanblu added an insurance run in the fifth on pinch hitter Reid Nomura’s infield single, scoring Micah Yoshino. Rick Nomura followed with a double to deep right, bringing older brother Reid home for a 9-1 Punahou lead.
Punahou tacked on two more runs in the sixth to end the game. Hirai scored on a throwing error and pinch hitter Michael Pang singled and scored on a single by Kainoa Harrison.
| KS (0-4) | 001 | 000 | — | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| Punahou (3-1) | 202 | 322 | — | 11 | 13 | 1 |
Brennan Doane-Alcos, Keenan Lum (4), Zack Kaohu (5), Damien Toriki (6) and Moku Kukonu. Dylan Combs, Peters (4), Tyler Kanazawa (6) and Kainoa Harrison. W–Combs. L–Doane-Alcos.
Leading hitters—KS: none. Pun: Rolenn Himuro 2-3, run; Rick Nomura 3-4, 2 2bs, 3 RBIs, 3 runs; Ryan Yamane 2-4, RBI, run.
ILH DIVISION I
Saint Louis 12, Damien 3
Kalei Contrades was 3-for-3 with a home run and four RBIs to power the Crusaders past the Monarchs.
| Damien (0-4) | 003 | 000 | 0 | — | 3 | 6 | 5 |
| St. Louis (3-0) | 420 | 330 | x | — | 12 | 15 | 2 |
Riley Perry, Ryan Ozaki (4), Dean Okamura (6) and Aalona Amimoto. Taylor Troy, Rico Garcia (4), Chase DeCoito (6), Trevor Cooper (7) and Iolana Akau, Dallas Correa. W–Garcia. L–Perry.
Leading hitters—StL: Kalei Contrades, 3-3, HR, 4 RBIs, 2 runs; Travis Shaw, 2-3, 3 RBIs, 2 runs; Kaeo Aliviado 2-2, 3 runs; Tre Haliburton-Goeas 2-4; Derek Nakasato, 2-4, 3 runs.
Mid-Pacific 10, ‘Iolani 1
Left-hander Lawrence Chew scattered seven hits over seven innings and Marcus Doi drove in four runs as the Owls dominated the Red Raiders.
| ‘Iolani (1-3) | 010 | 000 | 0 | — | 1 | 7 | 2 |
| MPI (4-0) | 320 | 104 | X | — | 10 | 9 | 0 |
Michael Diebold, Chase Wayton (2), Tyler Ushio (4), Bryce Nakamura (6) and Tiras Koon. Lawrence Chew and Dane Fujinaka. W–Chew. L–Diebold.
Leading hitters—Iol: Dylan Goto 2-4, double. MPI: Nikolas Alarcio 2-2, 2 RBIs, 2 runs; Marcus Doi 1-2, double, 4 RBIs, 2 runs; Justin Matoi, 3 runs; Justin Protacio 2 runs.
ILH DIVISION II
Pac-Five 23, St. Francis 0
The Wolfpack blanked the Saints in conference play, capitalizing on a 10-run third inning.
Pac-Five’s Landry Kiyabu was perfect at the plate, hitting 4-for-4 with two doubles and five RBIs.
| Pac-Five (2-0) | 15(10) | 70 | — | 23 | 18 | 0 |
| St. Francis (0-1) | 000 | 00 | — | 0 | 2 | 7 |
Ryan Ueunten, Royce Fujii (3), Tyler Fujimoto (4), Brayden Yabuki (5) and Bryson Kihara, Joseph Choy (3). Cyrus Murakami, Shawn Baptiste (2), Keha Wong (3), Kalei Davis (5) and Kalei Davis, Cyrus Murakami (5). W–Ueunten. L–Murakami.
Leading hitters—P5: Kellen Abe 2-6, 3 runs, 3 RBIs; Jared Osaki 3-5, 2b, 4 runs, 4 RBIs; Reyn Sugai 2-4, 2b, 3b, 3 runs, 3 RBIs; Landry Kiyabu 4-4, two 2bs, 2 runs, 5 RBIs; Bryson Kihara 2-3, run; Daniel Bada 3-4, 3b, 3 runs, 2 RBIs. StF: Davis 2b.
OIA RED EAST
Moanalua 4, Castle 2
Na Menehune gave up one run in the bottom of the seventh but held on for the win over the Knights.
Ross Hasegawa had two hits to lead Moanalua at bat.
| Moanalua (2-0) | 200 | 002 | 0 | — | 4 | 8 | 2 |
| Castle (2-1) | 000 | 001 | 1 | — | 2 | 7 | 0 |
Bronson Shin, Bryson Yasui (7), Kamalu Kamoku (7) and Brandon Kong. Elika Jarret and Robert Fram. W–Shin. L–Jarret.
Leading hitters—Moan: Ross Hasegawa 2-4; Tim Arakawa 2b, RBI; Austyn Nagamine 2b, RBI. Cas: Chaz Kobayashi 2-3, RBI.
Kaiser 8, Kahuku 1
The Cougars started off strong in a rout of the Red Raiders.
Kaiser’s Kaipo Oamilda-Scholtz hurled nine strikeouts in the win and batted 2-for-4 with two doubles and two runs. Austin Ortega added two triples and a run for the Cougars.
Michael Sabido led Kahuku’s offense with two doubles.
| Kaiser (1-2) | 230 | 101 | 1 | — | 8 | 10 | 2 |
| Kahuku (0-1) | 010 | 000 | 0 | — | 1 | 4 | 2 |
Kaipo Oamilda-Scholtz, Jordan Alcoran (7) and Makana Lyman. Justin Van Ness, Hekili Graygochea (4) and Kai Saniatan, Iukini Hughes (5). W–Oamilda-Scholtz. L–Van Ness.
Leading hitters—Kais: Oamilda-Scholtz 2-4, two 2bs, two runs; Austin Ortega 2-4, two 3bs, run; Ryan Kano 3-4, run. Kah: Michael Sabido 2-4, two 2bs.
OIA RED WEST
Pearl City 3, Leilehua 2
Chevas Numata singled in the top of the third to drive in the winning run as the Chargers defeated the Mules.
Isaac Shim struck out six batters for Pearl City.
| Pearl City (1-0) | 201 | 000 | 0 | — | 3 | 5 | 1 |
| Leilehua (1-1) | 200 | 000 | 0 | — | 2 | 4 | 3 |
Isaac Shim, Tyler Tokunaga (7) and Chevas Numata, Shim (7). Josh Lorenzo and Aaron Higa. W–Shim. L–Lorenzo. S–Tokunaga.
Leading hitters—PC: Kai Kealoha 3b; Tokunaga 2b, 2 runs; Numata 2-3, 2b, 3 RBIs. Lei: Aaron Taoy 2 RBIs.
Kapolei 13, Waianae 1, 5 inn.
The Hurricanes got a quick lead, scoring six runs in the bottom of the first in their win over the Seariders.
Trey Kamachi struck out eight batters for Kapolei.
| Waianae (1-1) | 010 | 00 | — | 1 | 4 | 5 | |
| Kapolei (1-1) | 634 | 0x | — | 13 | 14 | 1 |
Alan Ibanes, Kana Kuiee (3) and Jobe Cabral, Austin Reese (3). Trey Kamachi and William Leskovec. W–Kamachi. L–Ibanes.
Leading hitters—Wain: Chren Kauwe 2-2, 3b, run. Kapo: Leskovec 3-4, 2 2bs, RBI; Robbie Depp HR, 3 RBIs; Lonnie Santiago 2-3, 2 RBIs; Wayne Silva 2-2, 2b, RBI; Jared Ragasa 2-2, 3b, 2 RBIs.
OIA white
Farrington 12, Radford 8
The Governors plated seven runs in the top of the seventh to rally past the Rams.
Bryston Doctolero was 3-for-4 with three RBIs and three runs scored for Farrington, while Joseph Mafnas was 3-for-4 with two triples, three RBIs and two runs scored for Radford.
| Farrington (1-0) | 200 | 012 | 7 | — | 12 | 8 | 2 |
| Radford (0-2) | 420 | 200 | 0 | — | 8 | 10 | 3 |
Bryston Doctolero, Ryan Feagaimaalii (4) and Mark Jamorabon. Damon Puskarich, Troy Evans (4), Austin Jackson (6), Jesus Tenorio Jr. (7), Puskarich (7) and Evans, Puskarich (4), Evans (6). W–Feagaimaalii. L–Jackson.
Leading hitters—Farr: Doctolero, 3-4, double, 3 RBIs, 3 runs; Paul Reyes, 2-4, double, 2 RBIs, run. Rad: Tenorio, 3-4, double, 3 runs; Jobi Fontenot, double; Joseph Mafnas, 3-4, 2 triples, 3 RBIs, 2 runs.
Kaimuki 12, Waialua 7
Winning pitcher Tevin Nishiyama was 3-for-4 with two doubles and four RBIs to lead Kaimuki.
| Waialua (0-2) | 050 | 001 | 1 | — | 7 | 3 | 1 |
| Kaimuki (2-0) | 820 | 110 | x | — | 12 | 11 | 3 |
Kekai Rivera-Albeso, Justin Tantog (2) and Kaimana Tayaba-Hatchie. Dallas Reis, Tevin Nishiyama (2), Austin Arakaki (7) and Maanoa Tau. W–Nishiyama. L–Rivera-Albeso.
Leading hitters—Wail: Nainoa Leong, 2-3. Kaim: Nishiyama, 3-4, 2 doubles, 4 RBIs; Reis, 3-4, 2 runs; Tau, 2-2, RBI; Chevas Takasa
ILH SOFTBALL
Mid-Pacific 4, Kamehameha 2
Keiki Carlos tossed a two-hitter and Tori Hamura drove in two runs to lead the Owls past the Warriors.
Kamehameha made it interesting by scoring two unearned runs in the bottom of the seventh.
| Mid-Pacific (2-0) | 000 | 103 | 0 | — | 4 | 7 | 3 |
| KS (1-1) | 000 | 000 | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Keiki Carlos and Kaydi Kochi. Brandi Smith and Reyna Ae. W–Carlos. L–Smith.
Leading hitters—MPI: Carlos, triple, run; Tasi Docktor, double, 2 runs, RBI; Kaydi Kochi, triple, RBI; Tori Hamura, 2 RBIs; Karis Kochi, double.
OIA RED EAST SOFTBALL
Roosevelt 6, Kalani 2
Kamalei Piloy went 3-for-4 at bat as the Rough Riders defeated the Falcons.
Kristi Belshe led Kalani on offense with two hits, including a double.
| Roosevelt (3-0) | 300 | 120 | 0 | — | 6 | 9 | 1 |
| Kalani (1-2) | 002 | 000 | 0 | — | 2 | 7 | 2 |
Leani Berinobis and Kryslle Chung. Leisha Yamauchi and Kristi Belshe. W–Berinobis. L–Yamauchi.
Leading hitters—Roos: Moani Sniffen 2-4, 3b; Kamalei Piloy 3-4; Berinobis 2b; Haley Luke 2-4, 2b. Kaln: Haley Omiya 2-4; Belshe 2-4, 2b.
OIA RED WEST SOFTBALL
Waianae 3, Mililani 2
Kristi Keomalu drove in a single run in the bottom of the sixth inning to lift the Seariders over the Trojans.
| Mililani (2-1) | 020 | 000 | 0 | — | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Waianae (2-1) | 011 | 001 | 0 | — | 3 | 7 | 4 |
Tiari-Jay Hernandez and Amelia Ariola. Pililani Keopuhiwa and Kristi Keomalu. W–Keopuhiwa. L–Hernandez.
Leading hitters—Mil: Cheyenne Koki 2b; Alysia Maddison 2b, 2 RBIs. Wain: Hope Tootoo 2b; Nue Sivia 2-3, 2b.
Leilehua 2, Pearl City 1, 8 inn.
Maegan Tupinio struck out seven hitters as the Mules defeated the Chargers in extra play.
With one out and the bases loaded in the eighth inning, Leilehua’s Jasmine Villegas hit a line drive to left field as Ashley McKeown scored the winning run.
| Pearl City (0-1) | 010 | 000 | 00 | — | 1 | 4 | 2 |
| Leilehua (2-1) | 000 | 001 | 01 | — | 2 | 8 | 2 |
Sella Rodriguez and Maya Nagata. Maegan Tupinio and Kelina Nakai. W–Tupinio. L–Rodriguez.
Leading hitters—PC: Sierra Tadiarca 2-4; Keani Passi 2b. Lei: Jazmyn Dangaran 2b; Krystin Kubo 2-3; Kyla Larson 2-3; Ashley McKeown 2-2, 2 runs.
Campbell 20, Aiea 1
Nicole Arata ripped a home run in the fourth inning to help the Sabers devastate Na Alii. Campbell pitcher Summer Palipti picked up six strikeouts in the win, while leading the Sabers’ offense with three hits.
| Campbell (2-1) | 017 | 93 | — | 20 | 15 | 0 |
| Aiea (0-3) | 000 | 10 | — | 1 | 3 | 4 |
Summer Palipti and Jeycelyn Kim. Kelcie Takeuchi, Lauren Tauanuu (4) and Kendra Chong.
W–Palipti. L–Takeuchi.
Leading hitters—Camp: Sharae Esprecion 2-4, two 2bs; Palipti 3-4, 3b; Nicole Arata 2-3, HR; Jessica Arata 2-3, 2b.
OIA white softball
Waialua 21, Anuenue 0
Senior catcher Alyssiah Hernandez was 3-for-5 with a grand slam and six RBIs to power the Bulldogs over Na Koa. Karina Bayudan spun a four-hit shutout for Waialua.
| Waialua (3-0) | 526 | 17 | — | 21 | 18 | 1 |
| Anuenue (0-3) | 000 | 00 | — | 0 | 4 | 1 |
Karina Bayudan and Alyssiah Hernandez. Paige Silva, Wewehi Ganeau (5) and Kuulei Luke, Breideeann Nao (5). W–Bayudan. L–Silva.
Leading hitters—Anue: Abriana Halemano 2-3. Wail: Althia Dicion 3-5, triple, 2 RBIs, 3 runs; Alyssiah Hernandez 4-5, grand slam, double, 6 RBIs, 4 runs; Kaili Agabin 3-4, double, 3 RBIs, runs; Tayler Fitzsimmons 2-4, RBI, 3 runs; Cyerra Foster 2-3, triple, 2 RBIs; Michaela Chalker 2-3, RBI.
Radford 13, McKinley 2
Jessie Ines led the Rams with two hits in their win over the Tigers.
| Radford (2-0) | 215 | 140 | 0 | — | 13 | 7 | 2 |
| McKinley (0-2) | 001 | 010 | 0 | — | 2 | 4 | 4 |
Amanda Nicholas and Elizabeth Tuason. Aiga Malagamaalii and Yoon Ju Ryu. W–Nicholas. L–Malagamaalii.
Leading hitters—Rad: Jessie Ines 2-3, RBI; J. Castro 1-1, 2b; Sanoe Tuitele 1-1, HR. McK: A. Sakagawa 2-3; Ryu 2-3.ki, 2 runs; Keisuke Inayoshi, 2 runs.
