Doi pitches Mid-Pac past Kamehameha

Grant Doi hurled a three-hitter as No. 2 Mid-Pacific stifled No. 4 Kamehameha 4-2 on Tuesday afternoon at sunny, soggy Damon Field.

The Owls (11-3) remained unbeaten in the ILH tournament after two playoff games. The reward: roughly a week off while the rest of the field fights to stay alive in the double-elimination format.

It was enough to give MPI coach Dunn Muramaru a slight smile even as his ankle ached. He sprained it earlier in the day while running to his house.

"Grant threw well today. That’s the story of the game," Muramaru said. "I just cheer him on."

Doi struck out seven and walked just one. The 6-foot senior wouldn’t acknowledge that his breaking ball — a hard-bending slider — might have been his best this year. It was enough, though, to stump the normally potent bats of the Warriors.

"It was all right. I lost it later and started throwing more changeups," Doi said. "I just had to get it over the plate."

Owls pitching coach Craig Hayashi liked the velocity on Doi’s fastball.

"The slider was there and his fastball was there more consistently," Hayashi said. "Kamehameha’s always one hit away, they’re so strong.

Leading 4-0 early, Doi retired 12 of the first 13 Warriors he faced. He mastered the outside corner, using the slider to entice and lull the Warriors. The outside edge of the plate was a location of contention, just a bit. The Kamehameha bench was issued an official warning by the home plate umpire during the third inning, apparently for questioning a strike call.

Then came single runs by the visitors in the fifth and sixth innings. Doi’s only walk issued, to Chance Arakaki, led to a two-out, RBI infield single by Micah McNicoll. Arakaki scored to cut the margin to three runs.

In the sixth, Doi hit Kekai Rios with one out, and courtesy runner Chase Miyasato scored on Arakaki’s booming double off the center-field fence (333 feet away) with two outs, cutting the lead to 4-2. Doi got out of trouble by whiffing Brandon Henderson on a called third strike to end the threat.

Doi regained control of that slider in the seventh frame, using the inside corner to his advantage. He retired the side in order for the complete-game win.

"This is a big win for us. I don’t like having a week (without a game), but it lets us rest up. We have some guys who are dinged up," Muramaru said.

A slight drizzle turned into intermittent showers early in the game. The Owls struck for four runs in the first inning, all charged to Kamehameha starter Makoa Mau.

Jacob Maekawa led off with a first-pitch double to left center. After Alexander Oley singled with a bunt, both baserunners advanced on a wild pitch. Maekawa scored on a groundout and Tyler Yamaguchi singled to center, scoring Oley for a 2-0 lead. Chase Wago then drilled a first-pitch single to left, scoring Yamaguchi. That chased Mau and Hunter Breault took over.

Ryne Yamashiro followed with a single to center, bringing Wago home from second. Both Yamaguchi and Wago had advanced an extra base when throws from the outfield missed cutoff men.

The Owls had already clinched a state-tournament berth by winning the ILH’s regular season. They’ve had no letdowns in the tourney.

"We want the ILH championship. That’s more important," Muramaru said. "The ILH is like a crown jewel. To win it, you go through tough guys every single game."

At Damon Field

Makoa Mau, Hunter Breault (1), Ladd Ah Choy (6) and Kekoa Rios. Grant Doi and Noah Shackles. W–Doi. L–Mau.
Leading hitters–KS: Chance Arakaki 1-3, double, RBI, run. MPI: Jacob Maekawa 1-2, double, run; Alexander Oley 2-3, run; Tyler Yamaguchi 2-4, RBI, run; Chase Wago 1-2, RBI, run; Ryne Yamashiro 2-3, RBI.

‘Iolani 5, Saint Louis 0

No statistics reported.

ILH DIVISION II PLAYOFFS
Pac-Five 4, Hanalani 3

Casey Wond doubled in the bottom of the seventh to help the Wolfpack come back and defeat the Royals.

Pac-Five advances to face Damien on Friday.

At Central Oahu Regional Park

Chad Wakabayashi, Kevin Matsuoka (7) and Rylen Abeshima. Justin Ogasawara, Marques Asato (7) and Micah Lum.
W–Asato. L–Matsuoka.
Leading hitters–Pac-Five: Owen Saito 2b; Casey Wond 2-3, 2b, 2 RBIs; Dayne Ramos 3b; Francis Sonoda 2b.