Donahue steps up to keep ‘Iolani alive

‘Iolani senior Christian Donahue stepped into the batter’s box to face Punahou starter Bo Coolen in the fifth inning for an at-bat he would later recall as one that conjured up "the most butterflies I’ve ever had."

The Oregon State commit responded by driving Coolen’s fastball deep to left-center field for a run-scoring triple that he nearly turned into an inside-the-park home run if not for a sweet sweep tag by Buffanblu catcher KJ Harrison that nipped the baserunner’s ankle.

Donahue would respond in  an even bigger pressure situation an inning later, lacing a three-run triple with two out that made it 7-4.

Donahue’s breakout game netted three hits and five RBIs as the Raiders fended off Punahou 8-5 in a wild first-round play-in game of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division I baseball postseason tournament Friday afternoon at Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park. 

‘Iolani advances to play top-seeded ILH regular-season champion Saint Louis (12-3) Saturday at CORP field No. 1 at 11:30 a.m., while Kamehameha downed Pac-Five in the other play-in contest and will face defending state champion Mid-Pacific (11-3-1) on CORP field No. 2 Saturday at 10 a.m.

‘Iolani (9-7) is 1-2 against the Crusaders this season, including a pair of 4-3 losses this month; the Raiders downed Saint Louis 7-0 in the first meeting, and will likely face Crusaders ace Jordan Yamamoto on Saturday. The ILH tournament winner will secure the league’s second berth into the Wally Yonamine Foundation/HHSAA state baseball tournament set for May 13-16 at Les Murakami Stadium.

"I was just focused in; the pitch was there and I put my best swing on it," said Donahue when describing both triples, which followed nearly identical laser-like paths to the outfield fence. "I was seeing the ball well today. It was just one of those days — hopefully we can feed off this momentum going into tomorrow."

Punahou (3-12-1) never quit despite falling behind 1-0 in the first inning, 3-1 in the third and 4-2 in the fifth frame. The Buffanblu tied the game at 4 in the sixth inning as Harrison came home on a sacrifice fly from Coolen and Beau Branton scored after Raiders starter Josh Inouye’s wild pitch struck out Josh Winkler but ‘Iolani catcher Easton Tsubata unleashed an errant throw on the force attempt at first base.

‘Iolani, ranked No. 9 in the Star-Advertiser’s poll of coaches and media, answered in the home half of the inning by loading the bases after Winkler relieved Coolen and proceeded to walk two and hit a batter. Faced with a two-out situation, Donahue delivered a bases-clearing triple to break the game open.

"We’re definitely senior laden, and this is their last hurrah," said Raiders skipper Brent Shimokawa. "We let two runs in to tie the game and that’s uncalled for. But … we overcame that situation and took care of business."

Inouye notched the complete-game victory, striking out five and stranding six Punahou runners after holding the Buffanblu hitless through the first four innings.

Harrison, another Oregon State commit, led Punahou at the dish with two hits.

Buffanblu skipper Kenny Harrison shared an emotional moment with his seniors, including eldest son KJ, after the group gathered following their final prep contest.

"That’s the story of our season: one misplay here, kick the ball there, walk a guy, bean a guy; it’s just one of those seasons," said Kenny Harrison after his team committed five errors. "The kids worked hard, though, and they busted their tails for me. It sucks because my son is done; it’s so hard for me. It’s the end of one journey and the start of another."

Bo Coolen, Josh Winkler (5) and KJ Harrison. Josh Inouye and Easton Tsubata. W-Inouye. L–Winkler.

Leading hitters: Pun: Harrison 2-3, RBI; Coolen 2 RBIs. Iol: Christian Donahue 3-4, 2b, 2 3b, 5 RBIs; Caleb Duhay 2-3, RBI; Kainoa Fong 2-3, 2b.  

Also

No. 6 Kamehameha 13, Pac-Five 5