It was, Ian Kahaloa says, not his best stuff.
The Campbell Sabers are happy just the same. The senior right-hander fired a one-hitter as No. 3 Campbell blanked No. 9 Pearl City 4-0 on a hot, breezy afternoon at the Sabers’ dusty home field.
Campbell (9-2) remained one game behind first-place Mililani (10-1) in the OIA West standings, setting up a key showdown on Friday. The Sabers and Trojans will meet in a 6:30 contest at Hans L’Orange Field. First, the Sabers had to deal with Pearl City, which rode a four-game win streak coming into the battle at Ewa Beach.
"They were the hottest team in the West," said Kahaloa, whose fastball was still popping catcher Tryzen Patricio’s mitt at 92 mph in the seventh inning.
"That was not my hardest," said Kahaloa, who wasn’t thrilled about his performance. "I feel all right. I was kind of wild."
Pearl City got two runners on base in the top of the seventh, but after a talk with coach Rory Pico, Kahaloa got the final out and earned a complete-game win.
"He said, ‘Don’t worry about the baserunners,’ " said Kahaloa, who finished with seven strikeouts, two walks and two hit batters. "The first couple of innings, I was spotting my fastball and change-up pretty good. My slider and curve ball were better in the later innings."
His jersey number (17) almost matched the number of scouts (18) standing behind the backstop. Kahaloa has grown used to the extra attention.
"He started to get used to talking to them at the showcases in Arizona," pitching coach David Perreira said.
Kahaloa, Perreira said, has dealt with some stiffness in his back recently.
"He’s been doing some fascia stretching, doing things at home to get better. He’s always willing to listen," Perreira said.
The Sabers played small ball in the second inning to get on the scoreboard. A safety squeeze bunt by Jake Mendoza led to a throwing error that brought Kila Kapihe home for the first run. Courtesy runner Shane Shimizu came home on a safety squeeze by Dewayne Sprinkel for a 2-0 edge.
After Blayze Arcano-Llacuna singled to left, scoring Mendoza, the Sabers had a three-run advantage.
The home team tacked on an insurance run in the fourth, when Sprinkel came home on Kahaloa’s grounder to short.
"We had to manufacture runs," Pico said. "Pearl City just beat the No. 1 team in the state (Mililani). We knew they’d be tough."
Pico and the Sabers celebrated the seniors’ final home appearance after the game. Patricio, nicknamed "The Ape,",donned a gorilla mask for his head-first slide on a muddy home plate.
"We wanted to make the playoffs, and when you get there, you need a third starter," Pico said. "We’ve been trying to find one, so Ian hasn’t been on the mound for a while."
Patricio is a key part of the equation, a strong receiver behind the plate who can handle the velocity and breaking pitches from Kahaloa and No. 2 starter Kapihe.
"I grew up catching for Ian and Kila since Broncos. When they improved their velocity, I was able to adjust," Patricio said, ape mask finally off his head. "Ian worked hard on his change-up since last year. I just remind him about his release point."
Patricio missed a bit of time earlier in the season with a sore throwing shoulder, but rehabbed his way back onto the field.
"We’ve gotten kind of banged up, but that’s no different from any year," Pico said. "We’re deep enough that we can play through it."
Pearl City is now out of the hunt for a first- or second-place finish and the accompanying bye in the first round of the playoffs. The Chargers will host Waianae on Saturday at 3 p.m. to close the regular season.
At Campbell
PEARL CITY (7-4) |
000 |
000 |
0 |
— |
0 |
1 |
1 |
CAMPBELL (9-2) |
030 |
100 |
x |
— |
4 |
6 |
1 |
Dane Kaneshiro, Chevy Sumile (5) and Shaye Higa. Ian Kahaloa and Tryzen Patricio. W–Kahaloa. L–Kaneshiro.
Leading hitters–PC: Tyler Kushima 1-3. CAM: Dewayne Sprinkel 1-2, RBI, run; Blayze Arcano-Llacuna 1-2, RBI; Kahaloa 1-3, RBI.
No. 2 Mililani 8, Waipahu 3
Kaimana Souza-Paaluhi batted 3-for-3 and four Trojan pitchers combined on a four-hitter against the Marauders.
At Mililani
WAIPAHU (4-7) |
000 |
020 |
1 |
— |
3 |
4 |
1 |
MILILANI (10-1) |
140 |
201 |
x |
— |
8 |
12 |
1 |
Dustin Mori, Khaine Villiamu (4) and Graysen Fuentes. Micah Chinen, Ross Kloetzel (5), Kyle Matsuoka (6), Brysen Yoshii (7), Reece Matsukawa (7) and Sean Sonognini. W–Chinen. L–Mori.
Leading hitters–Waipahu: Kobie Russell 2-4, 3b, 2 RBIs; Oakland Scanlan 3b. Mililani: Kaimana Souza-Paaluhi 3-3; CJ Ibara 2-2; Adam Connell 3b.
Radford 8, Waianae 6, 10 inn.
Jacob Nishitomi drove in two runs and the Rams scored twice in the top of the 10th inning to beat the Seariders, who scored two runs in the seventh to force extra innings.
At Waianae
RADFORD (3-9) |
050 |
100 |
000 |
2 |
— |
8 |
8 |
3 |
WAIANAE (1-10) |
400 |
000 |
200 |
0 |
— |
6 |
13 |
5 |
Landyn Bartness, Nick Martinez (8) and Dominic Albalos. Jerzy Ramento, Thomas Kaauwai (4) and Ejay Kuakini. W–Martinez. L–Kaauwai.
Leading hitters–Radford: Gavin Watabayashi 2-4; Jacob Nishitomi 2-6, 2 RBIs; Tjader De Alba 2-5. Waianae: Niko Kala-Mahiai 2-6; Tavita Lalau 3-6; Kuakini 2-5; Kaauwai 2-5.
OIA RED EAST BASEBALL
No. 6 Kailua 6, Moanalua 0
Joey Cantillo and Isaiah Kaeo-Cash combined on a five-hitter and Keiki Kanahele-Santos had two hits, including a double, as the Surfriders beat Na Menehune.
At Kailua
MOANALUA (6-5) |
000 |
000 |
0 |
— |
0 |
5 |
1 |
KAILUA (9-2) |
210 |
300 |
x |
— |
6 |
7 |
1 |
Tanner Inouye, Dez Oki-Takahashi (3), Ian Fujitani (5), Dane Nishimura (6), Randy Tabura (6) and Kekaulike Kalua. Joey Cantillo, Isaiah Kaeo-Cash (7) and Dalton Kalama. W–Cantillo. L–Inouye.
Leading hitters–Moanalua: Adam Tanoue 2-3. Kailua: Keiki Kanahele-Santos 2-3, 2b; Noah Auld 2b.
Castle 8, Kaiser 1
Stephen Lee pitched a four-hitter and Maui Gaison drove in three runs as the Knights defeated the Cougars.
At Castle
KAISER (8-4) |
000 |
001 |
0 |
— |
1 |
4 |
0 |
CASTLE (6-4) |
220 |
400 |
x |
— |
8 |
9 |
2 |
Steven Miyata, Dylan Buck (4), Casey Takei (5) and Emmett Covello. Stephen Lee and Maui Gaison. W–Lee. L–Miyata.
Leading hitters–Castle: Logan Madrona 3-3, 2 runs; Gaison 2b, 3 RBIs; Alakai Kim 2b, 2 RBIs; Nick Gibbons 2-3.
Kalani 10, Kaimuki 0, 6 inn.
Reece Kakugawa went 3-for-4 and scored two runs and five Falcon pitchers combined on a two-hitter against the Bulldogs.
At Kalani
KAIMUKI (0-11) |
000 |
000 |
— |
0 |
2 |
5 |
KALANI (7-4) |
020 |
404 |
— |
10 |
8 |
1 |
Bailey Uehara, JC Parsis (4) and Kobe Hedgar. Brandon Gatewood, Christopher Nam (2), Reo Hasunuma (3), Kamahao Keoho (4), Harrison Moy (6) and Bronson Matsumoto. W–Keoho. L–Uehara.
Leading hitter–Kalani: Reece Kakugawa 3-4, 2 runs.
OIA WHITE BASEBALL
Aiea 10, Waialua 0, 5 inn.
Jansen Kudaishi and Shae Ishimoto combined on a two-hitter and Jayson Abeshima batted 2-for-2 with three RBIs as Na Alli beat the Bulldogs to remain unbeaten in league play.
At Aiea
WAIALUA (3-6) |
000 |
00 |
— |
0 |
2 |
5 |
AIEA (9-0) |
140 |
23 |
— |
10 |
9 |
1 |
Dane Little, Jarrett Felix (5), Logan Onizuka (5) and Matthan Hatchie. Jansen Kudaishi, Shae Ishimoto (2) and Makana Ah Yo. W–Ishimoto. L–Little.
Leading hitters–Aiea: Jaryn Nakamoto 2-4; Dylan Madamba 2-3, 3b, 2 runs, 2 RBIs; Jayson Abeshima 2-2, 3 RBIs; Chazdyn Quebral Acosta 2-3, 2 runs.
Kalaheo 15, Kahuku 1, 5 inn.
Jack Bell struck out 11 batters over four innings and batted 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs as the Mustangs beat the Red Raiders.
Kaliu Lapera and Matt Sasaki also drove in three runs for Kalaheo.
At Kahuku
KALAHEO (8-2) |
(10)30 |
02 |
— |
15 |
14 |
0 |
KAHUKU (0-10) |
0 |
00 |
10 |
— |
1 |
2 |
5 |
Jack Bell, Thomas Capllonch (5) and Kaliu Lapera. Moon and Keawe. W–Bell. L–Moon.
Leading hitters–Kalaheo: Tennison Cantrell HR, 2 runs; Cappllonch 2-2, 3b, 2 runs; Lapera 3-4, 3b, 2 runs, 3 RBIs; Bell 2-3, 2b, 3 RBIs; Zachary Espinoza 2-3, 2b, 2 runs, Matt Sasaki HR, 3 RBIs. Kahuku: Moon HR.
Kapolei 14, Nanakuli 10
Ronald Young went 4-for-4 with a double, home run and five RBIs to lead the Hurricanes past the Golden Hawks.
Tyler Hao batted 2-for-2 with a double and three RBIs for Kapolei, which led 10-1 after three innings.
At Kapolei
NANAKULI (3-7) |
001 |
404 |
1 |
— |
10 |
5 |
1 |
KAPOLEI (8-2) |
145 |
031 |
x |
— |
14 |
13 |
2 |
Brayden Ramalia, Chayson Hoopai (3) and Travis Lopes. Robby Oliveros, Ronald Young (4), Jace Barayuga (4), Bradyn Yoshida (6) and Mykah Kuratani. W–Oliveros. L–Ramalia.
Leading hitters–Nanakuli: Joshua Lincoln 2-3, HR, 2 runs, 2 RBIs. Kapolei: Young 4-4, 2b, HR, 3 runs, 5 RBIs; Tyler Hao 2-2, 2b, 3 RBIs; Joe Uesato 2-2; Oliveros HR, 2 runs, 2 RBIs.
Farrington 12, McKinley 4
Ranan Mamiya tripled, scored three runs and drove in two and Jace Baguio hit a two-run homer as the Governors beat the Tigers.
At Farrington
MCKINLEY (2-8) |
200 |
020 |
0 |
— |
4 |
9 |
7 |
FARRINGTON (6-4) |
101 |
415 |
X |
— |
12 |
7 |
2 |
Noah Diaz, Dennis Pearson (6) and Royden Espiritu. Kody Leiu, Chasen Castilliano (5), Paul Madamba. W–Leiu. L–Diaz.
Leading hitters–McKinley: Espiritu 2-5; Kyle Coloyan 2b; Elijah Vincent 2 RBIs. Farrington: Ranan Mamiya 3b, 3 runs, 2 RBIs; Jace Baguio HR, 2 RBIs; Madamba 2b; Shelden Lauama 2b.
ILH SOFTBALL
No. 2 Maryknoll 7, No. 5 Punahou 2
Shearyna Labasan pitched a three-hitter and drove in three runs as the Spartans beat the Buffanblu.
Maryknoll’s Nohea Hee had two RBIs and Kasey Magdadaro and Shayna Ige each scored twice.
At Sand Island Field
PUNAHOU (9-3) |
020 |
000 |
0 |
— |
2 |
3 |
3 |
MARYKNL. (10-1-1) |
050 |
002 |
X |
— |
7 |
7 |
3 |
Nicole Nishizawa, Bailey Akimseu (6) and Sara Jinee Buck. Shearyna Labasan and Nohea Hee. W–Labasan. L–Nishizawa.
Leading hitters–Punahou: Krystin Wong HR, 2 RBIs. Maryknoll: Labasan 2b, 3 RBIs; Hee 2 RBIs; Tamia Hirano 2-3; Kasey Magdadaro 2 runs; Shayna Ige 2 runs.
No. 3 Kamehameha 15, St. Francis 0
Kamalani Dung pitched a five-hitter with 17 strikeouts as the Warriors beat the Saints.
Kamehameha’s Dallas Milwood batted 3-for-5 with a double and four RBIs and Mahina Sauer went 2-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs.
At Ala Wai Field
KAMEHA. (10-1-1) |
113 |
220 |
6 |
— |
15 |
18 |
1 |
ST. FRANCIS (3-8) |
000 |
000 |
0 |
— |
0 |
5 |
0 |
Kamalani Dung and Rachel Ogasawara. Tiare Guerrero, Caryn Chinen (4) and Jessica Hudson, Taiana Creekmur (5). W–Dung. L–Guerrero.
Leading hitters–Kamehameha: Dung 2-3; Dallas Milwood 3-5, 2b, 2 runs, 4 RBIs; Mahina Sauer 2-4, HR, 2 runs, 3 RBIs; Jordan Millwood 2b; Ogasawara 3-4, 2 RBIs; Kiana Burnett 2-2, 2b, 2 RBIs; Makana Tyrell 2-2. St. Francis: Korrie Matsumura 3b.
Pac-Five 12, No. 8 Mid-Pacific 6
Shazzareigh Nakoa-Chun tripled, homered and drove in four runs and Kiara Peterson pitched four scoreless innings of relief as the Wolfpack beat the Owls.
Nani Trias and Karley Ann Yoshioka each added three RBIs for Pac-Five.
At Ala Wai Field
MID-PACIFIC (6-6) |
213 |
000 |
0 |
— |
6 |
7 |
0 |
PAC-FIVE (4-7) |
020 |
541 |
X |
— |
12 |
13 |
2 |
Kaili Akimseu, Breeze Morita (6) and Jenna Kumabe. Megan Yoshioka, Kiara Peterson (4) and Kailee Russell. W–Peterson. L–Akimseu.
Leading hitters–Mid-Pacific: Treana Garcia-Perreira 2-3, 2b; Marissa Allen 3b; Nicole Lopez 2b. Pac-Five: Noelle Nakamura 2-4, 2 runs; Shazzareigh Nakoa-Chun 2-3, 3b, HR, 4 RBIs; Brazz Tovio-Asato 2b, 3 runs; Peterson 3-4, 3 runs; Nani Trias 3-4, 3 RBIs; Karley Ann Yoshioka 2 runs, 3 RBIs.
‘Iolani 5, Sacred Hearts 1
Katie Yuu pitched a four-hitter and Cassie Ho tripled and drove in two runs to lead the Raiders past the Lancers.
At Ala Wai Field
SAC. HEARTS (1-11) |
000 |
100 |
0 |
— |
1 |
4 |
0 |
‘IOLANI (3-9) |
102 |
101 |
X |
— |
5 |
8 |
3 |
Malua Kaluau and Divine Victorino. Katie Yuu and Cassie Ho. W–Yuu. L–Kaluau.
Leading hitters–Sacred Hearts: Cassidy Chang 2b. ‘Iolani: Spencer Oda 2-4, 2b; Ho 2-2, 3b, 2 RBIs; Yuu 2-3, 2b.