Punahou’s Jason Rosen no longer intends to wait at the plate.
The Buffanblu junior has adopted first-year coach Kenny Harrison’s "swing often and early" mantra, and it paid off nicely Saturday against ‘Iolani.
Rosen went 3-for-3 with a double and five RBIs, and David Torigoe allowed one run over five innings as Punahou beat ‘Iolani 10-5 in an Interscholastic League of Honolulu baseball game. It was played at ‘Iolani, but Punahou was the home team.
Rosen had a run-scoring single to center in the second, a two-run double to right in the fourth and a two-run single to center in the fifth.
"It’s mainly just being aggressive," said Rosen, a left-handed-hitting right fielder. "I used to be more patient and got behind in the count, but now that I’m more aggressive it’s easier to hit the ball."
Punahou (2-0) scored four in the fourth and five in the fifth to take a commanding 10-1 lead.
The Buffanblu’s Nathan Higa went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBIs, and Rick Nomura and Beau Branton each had two hits and two runs.
"They like my style now," Harrison said. "We swing a lot. We swing often and early. Often and early is what we preach every single day."
‘Iolani, which stranded nine runners, aided Punahou by committing an error in the fourth and two more in the fifth.
"They got the big hits when they needed it and they capitalized on the mistakes," said ‘Iolani coach Jason Arakaki. "Any time you give up big innings like that, it’s tough to overcome."
Torigoe was wild but in control against ‘Iolani (1-1). The junior right-hander allowed three hits but walked two and hit four batsmen.
"Coach Matt (Apana, the pitching coach) and coach Kenny always say ‘pitch to contact,’ " Torigoe said. "My fielders (zero errors) really helped me out today."
Added Harrison: "We try to establish the inner half on all the players and teams we play. We’re probably going to lead the league in hit batsmen. Not because we want to. We just want to establish the plate."
After Torigoe exited, things got a little interesting.
In the sixth, ‘Iolani had four runs in, with two scoring on Christian Donahue’s single, to get within 10-5, and had the bases loaded with one out. Junior left-hander Dylan Takamori, Punahou’s third pitcher of the inning, came on and got a pop out and a ground out to end the inning.
"We will challenge these kids every single day," Harrison said. "They’re going to be up against tough challenges, tough situations and we talk about it being a team effort. You can always depend on the guy next to you. If you don’t do it, the next guy will come through."
Said Arakaki of his team’s late rally: "That’s a credit to them. They could have easily folded the tent. That’s part of their character. They’re going to fight. They aren’t going to quit. They’re a young ballclub, but they’ll get better."
The Buffanblu’s Higa, who started at third base, retired the Raiders in order in the seventh.
At Iolani field
| Iol(1-1) |
000 |
104 |
0 |
— |
5 |
7 |
3 |
| Pun(2-0) |
010 |
450 |
X |
— |
10 |
10 |
0 |
Chase Wayton, Matthew Hino (4), Javin Nohara (4), Corey Nakakura (5), Christian Donahue (6) and John Ryan Matsuura. David Torigoe, Dylan Combs (6), Cole Kanazawa (6), Dylan Takamori (6), Nathan Higa (7) and Kainoa Harrison.
W–Torigoe. L–Wayton.
Leading hitters–Iol: Donahue 2 RBIs; Caleb Duhay 2 runs. Pun: Rick Nomura 2-3, 2 runs; Nikolas Takayesu 2b; Higa 2-3, 2 RBIs, 3 runs; Beau Branton 2-2, 2b, RBI, 2 runs; Jason Rosen 3-3, 2b, 5 RBIs, 2 runs.
Mid-Pacific 7, Kamehameha 4
Despite a late rally by the Warriors, Marcus Doi slammed a home run to center field, driving in the game-winning run for the Owls.
Mid-Pacific’s Trey Saito picked up the win on the mound.
At Mid-Pacific field
| Ks (0-1) |
000 |
010 |
3 |
— |
4 |
4 |
3 |
| Mpi (1-0) |
000 |
120 |
4 |
— |
7 |
8 |
0 |
Keenan Lum, Zach Kaohu (6) and Moku Kukonu. Travis Garcia, Ivan Dilda (6), Trey Saito (7) and Marcus Doi.
W–Saito. L–Kaohu.
Leading hitters–KS: Jacob Figueroa 2-3, 2 RBIs, run; William Young 3b, RBI. Doi 2-4, HR, 4 RBIs, run; Isaiah Kiner-Falefa 2-4, RBI, 2 runs.
Maryknoll/Damien and Pac-Five/St. Francis were rained out.
OIA RED EAST
Moanalua 4, Kalani 1
Na Menehune’s Tyler Fujimoto struck out 10 in a victory over the Falcons.
Moanalua’s Bryson Yasui led the offense, hitting 2-for-3 with a double and home run.
At Kahala field
| Moan(2-0) |
000 |
022 |
0 |
— |
4 |
5 |
2 |
| Kalani (0-2) |
001 |
000 |
0 |
— |
1 |
4 |
3 |
Tyler Fujimoto and Austyn Nagamine. Brandon Medeiros and Chase Sumida.
W–Fujimoto. L–Medeiros.
Leading hitters–Moan: Bryson Yasui 2-3, HR, 2b, 2 RBIs, run; Elijah Monis 3b. Kaln: Sean Romo 2-3, run; Trevor Ozaki 2b; Sumida 3b, RBI.
Kailua 2, Castle 1
The Surfriders defeated the Knights in the nightcap of a doubleheader.
Game one stats were not reported.
At Kailua field
| Kail (2-0) |
200 |
000 |
0 |
— |
2 |
7 |
1 |
| Cast (0-2) |
010 |
000 |
0 |
— |
1 |
2 |
2 |
Ah Sam, Jacob Cobb-Adams (4), Kea Vierra (1) and Choy Foo. Christian Kapeliela and Manoah Medrano.
W–Cobb-Adams. L–Kapeliela.
Leading hitters–Kail: Ah Sam 1-3, double, 2 RBIs; Kiha Zuttermeister 2-3. Cast: Chaz Kobayashi 1-3, run.
OIA WHITE
Waipahu 20, Nanakuli 0, 5 innings
Drake Yoshioka homered for the Marauders, who blew out the Golden Hawks in five innings.
Waipahu pitcher Jarinn Afaga-Abreu got the win, going four innings.
At Waipahu
| Nan (0-2) |
000 |
00 |
— |
0 |
2 |
4 |
| Waip (2-0) |
914 |
33 |
— |
20 |
12 |
3 |
Andrew Montalbo, (three pitchers but names not reported) and Alika Kealoha. Jarinn Afaga-Abreu, Micah Luke (5) and Matapua Tulafale.
W–Afaga-Abreu. L–Montalbo.
Leading hitters–Nan: Brayden Romkula 2b, Raymond Pai 2b. Waip: Tulafale 3-4, 2b, RBI; Dylan Sugimoto 3-3, 2 RBIs; Drake Yoshioka 2-2, HR, 5 RBIs.
Kaimuki 11, Farrington 1
Kaimuki 15, Farrington 1
The Bulldogs roughed up the Governors in a two-game sweep, outscoring them 26-2 overall.
Kaimuki’s Keisuke Inayoshi and Joey Tamayose were the winning pitchers.
Game 1
At Kaimuki field
| Farr (0-1) |
000 |
10 |
— |
1 |
2 |
4 |
| Kaim (1-0) |
106 |
22 |
— |
11 |
7 |
3 |
Bradley Parras, Dan Corrales (5) and Jacob Baguio. Keisuke Inayoshi and Keoki Kaiahua, Justis Hoopii-Dias.
W–Inayoshi. L–Parras.
Leading hitters–Kaim: Keisuke Inayoshi 2b, 2 runs; Taku Cossey 2b; Sidney Poore 3 runs; Joey Tamayose 2-3, 5 RBIs; Kohei Inayoshi 2b.
Game 2
At Kaimuki field
| Kaim (2-0) |
143 |
205 |
— |
15 |
13 |
2 |
| Farr (0-2) |
001 |
000 |
— |
1 |
2 |
1 |
Joey Tamayose, Taku Cossey (4) and Keoki Kaiahua. Shane Cabato-Machado, Jacob Baguio (4) and Dan Corrales.
W–Tamayose. L–Cabato-Machado.
Leading hitters–Kaim: Keisuke Inayoshi 2 RBIs, 2 runs; Kaiahua 4 runs; Kaulana Moefu 3b; Kohei Inayoshi 2-4, 4 runs; Cossey 3-5, 4 RBIs; Sidney Poore 3-5, 4 RBIs; Austin Arakaki 2-4, 2b, 2 RBIs.
Radford 9, McKinley 0
Matthew Rujas went 3-for-4 with three RBIs to lift the Rams over the Tigers. Wesleigh Simler got the win.
Stats from Game 2 of the doubleheader were not reported.
At McKinley field
| Rad (1-0) |
000 |
134 |
1 |
— |
9 |
10 |
1 |
| McK (0-1) |
000 |
000 |
0 |
— |
0 |
2 |
3 |
Wesleigh Simler, Harley Thompson (7) and Michael Vito. Hunter Vincent, Landan Rita (5), Jayziah Williams (7) and Joshua Pearson-Santos.
W–Simler. L–Vincent.
Leading hitters–Rad: Mathew Rujas 3-4, 3 RBIs; Paul Cavallaro 2-4, 2 runs; Ken Owens 2b; Michael Vito 2b.
Leilehua/Waianae, Roosevelt/Kahuku, Mililani/Campbell were rained out.
GIRLS SOFTBALL
ILH
Mid-Pacific 9, Sacred Hearts 0
Keiki Carlos led the Owls in a win over the Lancers.
Carlos pitched a complete- game, one-hit shutout with 12 strikeouts, and hit 2-for-2 with a home run.
At Crane Park
| Mpi (1-0) |
100 |
330 |
2 |
— |
9 |
10 |
0 |
| SHA (0-1) |
000 |
000 |
0 |
— |
0 |
1 |
2 |
Keiki Carlos and Nicole Lopez. J. Waracka and R. Sepla.
W–Carlos. L–Waracka.
Leading hitters–MPI: Carlos 2-2, HR, 4 RBIs, 3 runs; Tasi Docktor 2-3, 2 3b’s, 3 runs; Jordan Joy 2-4, 2b, 2 RBIs, run.
St. Francis 9, Maryknoll 5
Ashley Kahapea-Wagner hit a home run to center field in the bottom of the seventh inning, lifting the Saints over the Spartans.
Nalani Antonio also hit a home run for Saint Francis.
At Kamamalu field
| Mryk (0-1) |
000 |
203 |
0 |
— |
5 |
2 |
4 |
| Stf (1-0) |
310 |
100 |
4 |
— |
9 |
9 |
8 |
Shearyna Lobsan and Carolann Toyama. Rasela Vili and Kelsie Hee.
W–Vili. L–Lobsan.
Leading hitters–StF: Nalani Antonio 3-4, HR; Ashley Kahapea-Wagner 2-4, HR, 5 RBIs; Shailah Fernandez 3-4, 3b.
Punahou 13, Pac-Five 0, 5 innings
The Buffanblu trumped the Wolfpack in five innings.
Kylie Popovich hit a two-run single in the first inning to give Punahou the lead.
At Ala Wai field
| Pun (1-0) |
232 |
60 |
— |
13 |
11 |
1 |
| Pac-5 (0-1) |
000 |
00 |
— |
0 |
1 |
0 |
Jaci Young, Tai Manu-Olevao and Reina Furuya, S. Buck (4). K. Ahnew and C. Kipi.
W–Young. L–Ahnew.
Leading hitters–Pun: Furuya 2-2, RBI; Mysha Sataraka 2-3; Kylie Popovich 2-3, 2 RBIs; Manu-Olevao 3b, RBI; Vanessa Vaa 2b, RBI; Arianna Hashimoto 2b, 2 RBIs.
OIA RED EAST
Kaiser 7, Roosevelt 6
Kaiser 15, Roosevelt 5
The Cougars swept the Rough Riders in a doubleheader, winning a close one in the first game and by running away with the second.
Kai Hasegawa hit a home run in the first game to boost Kaiser’s offense, while Shauna Kuroiwa earned the victory.
Game 1
At Kaiser field
| Roos (0-1) |
310 |
020 |
0 |
— |
6 |
6 |
3 |
| Kais (1-0) |
100 |
022 |
2 |
— |
7 |
9 |
0 |
K. De Busca and J. Maemori. Shauna Kuroiwa and Sadie Karratti-Abordo.
W–Kuroiwa. L–De Busca.
Leading hitters–Roos: De Busca 2-4, 3b. Kais: Bailey Gongob 2-4; Kai Hasegawa 2-4, HR.
Game 2
At Kaiser field
| Kais (2-0) |
040 |
631 |
1 |
— |
15 |
10 |
1 |
| Roos (0-2) |
000 |
320 |
0 |
— |
5 |
5 |
4 |
Rainelle Matsuoka and Sadie Karratti-Abordo. K. De Busca and J. Maemori.
W–Matsuoka. L–De Busca.
Leading hitters–Kais: Shauna Kuroiwa 3-4, 2 RBIs; Kimberly Dilda 3-5. Roos: M. Wada 2-4, 3b.
Castle 13, Kailua 11
Castle 4, Kailua 2
The Knights defeated the Surfriders in the OIA season opener.
Pitcher Brittany Hawn earned both wins for Castle. Kailua’s Jayna Hanawahine hit a grand slam in the first game, along with a triple.
Game 1
At Kailua field
| Cast (1-0) |
003 |
541 |
0 |
— |
13 |
10 |
3 |
| Kail (0-1) |
104 |
402 |
0 |
— |
11 |
12 |
5 |
Brittany Hawn and B. Perry. Shaydon Apela-Moku, Destinee Chang (5) and Leilani Lastimosa.
W–Hawn. L–Apela-Moku.
Leading hitters–Cast: J. Rodgers 2-5, 2b, RBI; Hawn 2b, RBI; K. Silva 2b, 2 RBIs; J. Lopes 2b, 2 RBIs; D. Dacosin 2b, RBI. Kail: Chang 2 2bs, RBI; Lastimosa 2 2bs, 2 RBIs; Jayna Hanawahine 3b, HR, 6 RBIs.
Game 2
At Kailua field
| Kail (0-2) |
100 |
000 |
1 |
— |
2 |
8 |
1 |
| Cast (2-0) |
110 |
101 |
X |
— |
4 |
8 |
3 |
Taylor Aquino and Hiilani Wong. Brittany Hawn and B. Perry.
W–Hawn. L–Aquino.
Leading hitters–Kail: Destinee Chang 2 3bs; Lastimosa 3b, RBI; Shealee Koki 2b. Cast: Hawn 2 2bs, 2 RBIs; K. Silva 2b, RBI.
Kaimuki 17, Kalani 6
Kaimuki 11, Kalani 5
Pitcher Ehlen Awaya went the distance in both games, and Krysta Yasui homered in the opener and tripled in the nightcap as the Bulldogs swept the Falcons.
Game 1
At Aina Haina field
| Kaim(1-0) |
200 |
366 |
— |
17 |
12 |
2 |
| Kaln (0-1) |
000 |
132 |
— |
6 |
10 |
6 |
Ehlen Awaya and Seplynn Aikau. Jade Teruya and Kelli Muramaru.
W–Awaya. L–Teruya.
Leading hitters–Kaim: Krysta Yasui HR, Dejah Faasoa 3-3, Aikau 2-3. Kaln: Rayme Awaya double, Haley Omiya 2-3, Muramaru 2-2.
Game 2
At Aina Haina field
| Kaln (0-2) |
102 |
020 |
0 |
— |
5 |
9 |
2 |
| Kaim (2-0) |
000 |
047 |
x |
— |
11 |
9 |
1 |
Jade Teruya, Ashlyn Toyama 6) and Kelli Muramaru. Ehlen Awaya and Seplynn Aikau.
W–Awaya. L–Teruya.
Leading hitters–Kaln: Haley Omiya 3-4, Lauryn Wright double. Kaim: Krysta Yasui triple, Ehlen Awaya double, Dejah Faasoa double, Denisha Nahina double.
OIA WHITE
Waialua 16, Kalaheo 15
With the bases loaded, Ciara Balidoy hit the game-winning single to push the Bulldogs past the Mustangs.
Waialua’s Kaili Agabin and Gerika Acorda both hit home runs in the win.
At Waialua field
| Kalh (0-1) |
004 |
046 |
1 |
— |
15 |
15 |
5 |
| Wail (1-0) |
202 |
260 |
4 |
— |
16 |
13 |
9 |
F. Fitzherbert, T. Cocker (6) and J. Dement. Sabrina Tolentino and Gabby Maxwell.
W–Tolentino. L–Cocker.
Leading hitters–Kalh: Fitzherbert 3-4, 2b, 4 runs; M. Turner 2-5, 2 runs, 4 RBIs; T. Elisara 3-5, HR, 2 runs, 3 RBIs; V. Elisara 2-2, HR, 2 RBIs, 2 runs; Dement 3-4, 3b, 3 RBIs, run; S. Terry HR, 2 RBIs. Wail: Nicole Verdadero 2-4, 2 runs; Ciara Balidoy 3-6, 2b, 2 runs; Kaili Agabin 2-4, HR, 4 RBIs, 2 runs; Gerika Acorda HR; Michaela Chalker 3-5, 2 runs; Kiara Kamakea 2b, 2 RBIs.
