After nearly 20 years of coaching Kamehameha’s intermediate baseball program, Tom Perkins has finally realized the “honor” of leading the Warriors varsity squad.
Kamehameha provided the skipper with a memorable first Interscholastic League of Honolulu victory via a 9-4 triumph over ‘Iolani in come-from-behind fashion Saturday morning at Hans L’Orange Park.
“It’s very special, especially seeing the composure of these boys,” said Perkins, a 1974 Kamehameha graduate. “We started slow but kept battling back. It’s good to see (the team) coming together.”
The Warriors eventually overcame a 2-0 first-inning deficit with a seven-run outburst in the fifth frame, which was aided in part by three ‘Iolani errors. Kamehameha catcher Kekai Rios, a University of Hawaii commit, broke a 2-2 tie with two outs in the home half of the fifth on a clutch line single to left field with the bases loaded that drove in two runs.
Ensuing batter Chance Arakaki then singled to third baseman Kaimana Bartolome to bring home Kody Cacal and Rios, while Codie Paiva’s courtesy runner, Josh Souza, also came home on an errant throw by Bartolome. Brandon Henderson, Matthew Yokota and Makoa Mau then strung together singles, the latter two plating a run apiece, and staked the Warriors to an insurmountable advantage.
“We never panicked, just trusted in each other and came back in the end,” said Paiva, who earned the win after allowing one earned run on five hits and striking out six through six innings.
Paiva also served as a catalyst at the plate, doubling in both the second and fourth innings to help Kamehameha tie the game before the momentum-shifting fifth stanza. After showing some “first-game jitters” and taking 27 pitches to get through the first inning, Paiva settled down, mixed in his fastball, changeup and slider effectively and retired 10 consecutive batters to keep his squad in the game.
“Codie is a great player for this team, he has the ability to calm these guys down and get them going when we need to,” Perkins said. “But, it takes the team, and we’re finally coming to a point where we’re putting it all together.”
The tilt was the first of the 2015 ILH campaign for Kamehameha (1-0), while ‘Iolani (0-2) returned to the diamond less than 24 hours after falling 9-4 to defending state champion Saint Louis on Friday afternoon. Raiders coach Brent Shimokawa was quick to dismiss the notion that the short turnaround played a role in the loss.
The Raiders took an early two-run advantage thanks to two Kamehameha errors in the first inning.
| At Hans L’Orange Park |
| ‘Iolani (0-2) |
200 |
000 |
2 |
4 |
7 |
3 |
| Kamehameha (1-0) |
010 |
170 |
x |
9 |
10 |
4 |
Austin Jim On, Corey Nakamura (5), Kaimana Bartolome (5) and Josh Inaba. Codie Paiva, Ladd Ah Choy (7) and Kekai Rios, Revan Wong (7). W-Paiva. L—Jim On.
Leading hitters: IOL—Jim On 2-4, double. KS—Rios 2 RBIs; Paiva 2-2, 2 doubles; Chance Arakaki 2-3, 2 RBIs; Makoa Mau 2-3, RBI.
ILH
PAC-FIVE 8, HANALANI 2
Micah Lum and Jeremy Abela Nakashima each had two RBIs as the Wolfpack defeated the Royals.
| At Hans L’Orange Park |
| HANALANI (0-2) |
000 |
002 |
0 |
— |
2 |
5 |
3 |
| PAC-FIVE (2-0) |
100 |
430 |
X |
— |
8 |
11 |
1 |
Chad Wakabayashi, Ryen Romero (6) and NA. Dayne Ramos, Trevor Kubo (6) and NA. W—Ramos. L—Wakabayashi.
Leading hitters—Hanalani: Cyan Garma 2B.
Pac-Five: Lee Tanaka 2-4; Casey Wond 2-4, 2B; Francis Sonoda 2-2, 2 runs; Matt Matsuda 2-4; Micah Lum 2-2, 2B, 2 RBIs; Jeremy Abela Nakashima 2 RBIs.
Friday
| PAC-FIVE (1-0) |
001 |
000 |
60 |
(10) |
— |
17 |
16 |
3 |
| DAMIEN (1-1) |
200 |
310 |
10 |
0 |
– |
7 |
9 |
3 |
Shaun Mahiko, Brandon Miyasato (4), Marques Asato (7), Justin Ogasawara (7) and NA. Chayne Wayton, Grayson Bueno (7), NA (7), NA (9) and NA. W—Ogasawara.
Leading hitters—Pac-Five: Owen Saito 2-5, 2 runs, 2 RBIs; Lee Tanaka 3-5, 3 runs, 2 RBIs; Casey Wond 3-6, 2B, 3B, 5 RBIs; Dayne Ramos 2-5, 2B, 2 runs; Micah Lum 2-4, 2B; Matt Matsuda 4 runs; Jeremy Abela Nakashima 2B; Christian Jones 3B. Damien: Austin Ballesteros 2-5, 2B; Shiloh Kaeo 2-4; Bueno 2B; Kana Schuman 3B.
OIA RED EAST
KAISER 22, KAIMUKI 9, 5 INN.
Emmett Covello, Emmett Garcia and Kamalu Simeona each drove in three runs as the Cougars beat the Bulldogs.
| At Kaimuki |
| KAISER (1-0) |
22 |
(11) |
70 |
— |
22 |
16 |
4 |
| KAIMUKI (0-1) |
10 |
2 |
33 |
— |
9 |
5 |
2 |
Steven Miyata, Brandon Hue (3), Kainoa Craig (5) and Emmett Covello, Lincoln Lima (4), Emmett Garcia (5). JC Palsis, Tyler Fujita (3), Bailey Uehara (4) and Kobe Hedgar. W—Hue. L—Palsis.
Leading hitters—Kaiser:?Covello 3-4, 2B, 3B, 3 RBIs; Garcia HR, 3 RBIs; Kamalu Simeona 2-3, 2 2Bs, 3 RBIs; Shawn Miyashiro 2B. Kaimuki:?Fujita 3B.
KAILUA 12, ROOSEVELT 2, 6 INN.
Brendan Odo drove in three runs and Awa Byers knocked in a pair as the Surfriders beat the Rough Riders.
Kailua’s Stone Parker, Cody Takabuki and Matt Hanano combined on a five-hitter.
| At Kailua |
| ROOSEVELT (0-1) |
000 |
020 |
— |
2 |
5 |
2 |
| KAILUA (1-0) |
212 |
007 |
— |
12 |
11 |
1 |
Jonah Sasahara, Kekoa Lima (5) and Aaron Emoto. Stone Parker, Cody Takabuki (3), Matt Hanano (5) and Dalton Kalama. W—Takabuki. L—Sasahara.
Leading hitters—Roosevelt:?Emoto 3-3. Kailua:?Kalama 2-3; Brendan Odo 3 RBIs; Awa Byers 2 RBIs.
MOANALUA 5, CASTLE 3
Na Menehune beat the Knights despite getting only four hits.
| At Moanalua |
| CASTLE (0-1) |
010 |
200 |
0 |
— |
3 |
8 |
2 |
| MOANALUA (1-0) |
112 |
100 |
X |
— |
5 |
4 |
1 |
Leading hitters—Castle: Jordan Harvest 2 hits; Logan Madrona 2 hits.
OIA RED WEST
MILILANI 3, PEARL CITY 0
Micah Chinen and Robert Baker combined on a two-hitter and Adam Connell batted 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored as the Trojans beat the Chargers.
Chinen allowed both hits with one walk and two strikeouts over six innings.
| At Mililani |
| PEARL CITY (0-1) |
000 |
000 |
0 |
— |
0 |
2 |
1 |
| MILILANI (1-0) |
002 |
010 |
x |
— |
3 |
8 |
0 |
Dane Kaneshiro and Shaye Higa. Micah Chinen, Robert Baker (7) and Sean Sonognini. W—Chinen. L—Kaneshiro. S—Baker.
Leading hitters—Mililani: Adam Connell 2-3, 2B, 2 runs; CJ Ibara 3-3; Jarrin Morikawa 2-2.
RADFORD 6, LEILEHUA 4
Jacob Nishitomi, Gavin Watabashi and Jason Matthew Profitt each drove in two runs as the?Rams beat the Mules.
| At Radford |
| LEILEHUA (0-1) |
111 |
000 |
1 |
— |
4 |
6 |
3 |
| RADFORD (1-0) |
023 |
100 |
x |
— |
6 |
9 |
0 |
Wayne Abear, Jared Academia (3) and Kevi Dellatan. Jacob Nishimomi, Nickolas Martinez (4) and Dominic Albalos. W—Martinez. L—Abear.
Leading hitters—Leilehua:?Trey Yukumoto 2-3; Dellatan 2B; Academia 2B; Jaryn Kanbara 2B. Radford: Nishitomi 2-4, 2B 2 RBIs; Gavin Watabashi 2 RBIs; Jason Matthew Profitt 2 RBIs.
WAIPAHU 6, WAIANAE 4
Dustin Mori’s sacrifice fly scored Brandon Tom with the go-ahead run in the sixth inning as the Marauders defeated the Seariders.
Waipahu’s Rustin Ho and Oakland Scanlan each homered and drove in two runs.
Jerzay Ramento homered for Waianae.
| At Waipahu |
| WAIANAE (0-1) |
011 |
110 |
0 |
— |
4 |
9 |
0 |
| WAIPAHU (1-0) |
010 |
212 |
x |
— |
6 |
8 |
4 |
Tavita Lalau, Kaleo Chun (5) and Ejay Kuakini. Oakland Scanlan, Michael Price (7) and Grayson Fuentes. W—Scanlan. L—Chun. S—Price.
Leading hitters—Waianae: Lalau 2-4; Kuakini 3-4; Jerzay Ramento 2-2, HR. Waipahu: Rustin Ho 3-3, 3B, HR, 2 RBIs; Scanlan 2-3, 2B, HR, 2 RBIs; Shiloh Baniaga 2-3.
