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Despite a quiet night from its offensive star, No. 1 Mid-Pacific rolled to an 8-0 win over ‘Iolani on Friday.
Marcus Doi — who has already signed with the University of Hawaii — went 0-for-4 with a run scored, but was behind the plate as Trey Saito twirled a fabulously effective two-hit shutout on the Raiders’ field.
"My slider was working. I threw about 20 change-ups," said Saito, who pitched against the Raiders’ lineup for the first time since an offseason summer league game two years ago.
The Owls improved to 2-0 in ILH play. ‘Iolani fell in its regular-season opener. It was Mid-Pacific’s seventh win in a row over ‘Iolani in league play going back to the 2010 season.
On Friday, the Raiders were generous hosts, committing four errors that accounted for seven unearned runs by the visitors.
Mid-Pacific also did it with stellar defense, particularly from shortstop Isaiah Kiner-Falefa and third baseman Brent Sakurai. Saito’s mastery, spotting his breaking ball and change-up, led to a no-walk performance that baffled the home team. Seven of ‘Iolani’s 21 outs were grounders to Kiner-Falefa. Another three were to the hot corner, where Sakurai was a vacuum.
"The infield backed me up a lot. They robbed some hits and that was the key to the game," Saito said. "Isaiah and Brent, I think they’re probably the best in the state."
Saito, who threw just 72 pitches, had a no-hitter going into the fifth inning before Jonathan Ide slapped a one-out single to center. That was one of only two balls that left the infield with Saito on the mound. The senior right-hander had a one-hitter going into the seventh inning before Austin Darmawan reached base on a bunt single.
All of that — Saito’s great control, MPI’s error-free defense and consistent offensive execution — had coach Dunn Muramaru pleased.
"We played well. The kids played good," he said. "Usually, I’m not satisfied, but they played well."
‘Iolani starting pitcher Josh Inouye got out of a bind in the top of the first. After Kiner-Falefa led off with a double and Quinton Collier singled, the junior struck out Doi with three consecutive low benders. Then Inouye got Daniel Fentriss to ground into a double play to end the threat.
But the Owls persisted. Bryce Asao led off the second with a single, moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Sakurai and advanced to third on a groundout by Cameron Igarashi.
Cal Muramaru, who finished 2-for-3, then fouled off two pitches on a 2-2 count before singling to center to score Asao.
From that point, MPI took advantage of ‘Iolani defensive miscues.
The Owls had runners at third and second in the fourth when Muramaru dropped a perfect squeeze bunt to bring Sakurai home for MPI’s second run.
A moment later, Saito’s pickoff throw to third glanced off the glove of Tanner Nishioka, allowing Igarashi to score. Nishioka then compounded the problem with an errant throw home, and Muramaru advanced to third base.
Kiner-Falefa then grounded out to short, bringing Muramaru home for a 5-0 Owls lead going into the bottom of the fourth.
MPI tacked on two more runs in the fifth, benefiting from two errors, a wild pitch, a hit batter and a walk.
The Owls tacked on their final run in the seventh on a single to center by Sakurai that scored Doi.
Mid-Pacific will host Kamehameha on Thursday. ‘Iolani entertains Punahou next, also on Thursday.
At ‘Iolani
Mid-Pacific (2-0) |
020 |
320 |
1 |
— |
8 |
7 |
0 |
‘Iolani (0-1) |
000 |
000 |
0 |
— |
0 |
2 |
4 |
Trey Saito and Marcus Doi. Josh Inouye, Javin Nohara (5), Bronson Ichimura (7) and J.R. Matsuura. W–Saito. L–Inouye.
Leading hitters–MPI: Isaiah Kiner-Falefa 1-3, double, RBI; Brent Sakurai 1-2, walk, RBI, run; Cal Muramaru 2-3, 2 RBIs, run.
Pac-Five 18, ‘Iolani II 2
The Wolfpack rolled over the Raiders with a 10-run fourth inning.
Braxton Kihara and Ryllen Abeshima drove in three runs apiece, and Brent Vargus and Kai Sasaki each had two RBIs for Pac-Five.
At Central Oahu Regional Park
‘Iolani II (0-1) |
110 |
00 |
— |
2 |
3 |
9 |
Pac-Five (2-0) |
152 |
(10)X |
— |
18 |
14 |
0 |
Hino, Arakawa (4) and not reported. Landon Teramoto, Marc Oshiro (4) and not reported.
W–Teramoto. L–Hino.
Leading hitters–Iol: Beal 2-2, 2 2bs, RBI; Chen 1-1, 2b, RBI. P5: Owen Saito 2-3, 2 runs; Braxton Kihara 2-3, 3b, 2 runs, 3 RBIs; Shawn Hampton 2-3, 2b, 2 runs, RBI; Ryllen Abeshima 2-3, 2 2bs, 3 RBIs; Brent Vargus 2-2, 2 runs, 2 RBIs; Kai Sasaki 3-4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs.
Also
Maryknoll 14, Damian 0