The thrill ride otherwise known as Interscholastic League of Honolulu baseball gave spectators another free show Saturday, as Punahou rallied from behind and then held off charging Kamehameha for a 7-6 win at windy Central Oahu Regional Park.
After the final out, coach Keenan Sue of the sixth-ranked Buffanblu (3-1) — in between the proverbial sighs of relief — said he wouldn’t mind if the baseball gods decided to send fewer nail-biters his way. Nevertheless, he’s absolutely loving his comeback kids.
“I’m always really proud of the guys when they come back from a deficit,” Sue said. “We did it yesterday (beating Maryknoll 15-5 after falling behind 5-3). We did it today. It just shows that their mental toughness and acuity is on point, and if you’re going to win in this league, you have to be that way. Because this league is so competitive, you have to play for every run and for every out no matter what. Things aren’t always going to go your way. You’re going to make mistakes at times. The ILH is so tight this year, and I hate to be negative, but whoever makes less mistakes is going to win the ballgame. ”
True to that logic, top-ranked Kamehameha self-destructed after taking a 4-0 lead. With four errors, including three of the in-the-glove/out-of-the-glove variety in the third, the Warriors (2-2) handed Punahou three runs to make it 4-3. At the end of the day, Kamehameha was guilty of six errors, and only three of the Buffanblu’s seven runs were earned.
The howling wind was certainly a factor.
“It gets in people’s heads,” Sue said. “Both teams work on it. Guys get a little apprehensive in the wind . It’s hard and it takes everybody off of their routine.”
But Kamehameha isn’t using the wind as an excuse.
“Of course there was wind, but (Punahou) had to deal with that problem, too,” Warriors center fielder Chase Miyasato said. “We’ve just got to focus up. I know I’ve got to work harder when we get back to practice Monday. We do have what it takes (to challenge for the ILH title). We just have to make the routine plays. We’ll come together as a team and I know we can be successful.”
Punahou starting pitcher Noah Goss scattered six hits in six innings en route to the win. He left with a 7-4 lead, and Riley Guieb, despite giving up two runs in the seventh, earned the save.
Goss also had a crucial hit in the bottom of the sixth. After pinch hitter Logan Williams’ RBI single tied the game at 4 and the go-ahead run scored on a hit batter, Goss drilled a two-run single to left-center for the 7-4 bulge.
“I was looking for one pitch, and he (Warriors reliever Makoa Mau) basically threw it to me,” Goss said. “I was ready for it, so I swung.”
Kamehameha starter Blaze Pontes was saddled with the loss.
The Warriors came close to tying it in the seventh. Mason Quinlan doubled home a run, and another run scored on Mau’s fielder’s choice to make it 7-6. Then, with Mau on first, Revan Wong hit a line shot to left that went foul before popping out to end it.
Earlier, Quinlan’s two-run single and Miyasato’s two-run double staked Kamehameha to a 4-0 second-inning lead before the unraveling began.
Punahou’s Sue mentioned the clutch offense provided by Williams and Goss in the sixth: “Logan was huge. We have a lot of depth on the bench; he’s a backup catcher who could be a starter anywhere else. And Noah has been solid all year. He’s a tough kid who never gives up. He has a fundamentally sound swing and is tough to get out.”
Ilh Division I Baseball
No. 6 Punahou 7, No. 1 Kamehameha 6
At Central Oahu Regional Park |
Kamehameha (2-2) |
000 |
000 |
1 |
— |
1 |
1 |
3 |
Punahou (3-1) |
100 |
042 |
X |
— |
7 |
8 |
1 |
Blaze Pontes, Micah Hee (6), Makoa Mau (6) and Revan Wong. Noah Goss, Riley Guieb (7) and Codey Kitagawa.
W– Goss. L– Pontes.
Leading hitters– KSK: Chase Miyasato 2b, 2 RBIs; Logan Salcedo 2-3; Mason Quinlan 3-4, 2b, 3 RBIs; Mau RBI; Wong 2b. PUN: Cole Cabrera RBI; Goss 2 RBIs; Easton Takamoto 2-3, RBI; Logan Williams RBI.
ILH Division II Baseball
Pac-Five 7, Hanalani 1
Richard Higa posted a triple and three RBIs to lead the Wolfpack over the Royals.
Pac-Five’s pitchers allowed just one hit in seven innings with Brandon Miyasato earning the win.
At Central Oahu Regional Park |
Hanalani (1-3) |
000 |
000 |
1 |
— |
1 |
1 |
3 |
Pac-Five (2-2) |
100 |
042 |
X |
— |
7 |
8 |
1 |
Aidan Koanui, Aaron Leong (6) and Reyn Romero. Brandon Miyasato, Scott Wong (4), Makoa Paresa (7) and Jared Miyasato.
W– Miyasato. L– Koanui.
Leading hitters–Pac: Casey Nakamura 2-4, RBI; Richard Higa 2-3, 3b, 3 RBIs; Lee Tanaka 2b, run.
St. Francis 10, Damien 5
The Saints scored nine runs in their final three innings at bat to down the Monarchs.
Kaimana Cameron had two hits for Damien, while Jared Yara had St. Francis’s highest hit total with three.
At Ala Wai Field |
Damien (1-3) |
000 |
500 |
0 |
— |
5 |
7 |
3 |
St. Francis (4-0) |
010 |
441 |
X |
— |
10 |
12 |
2 |
Milton Gainey, Javin Cortez (4), Grayson Bueno (5) and catcher(s) not reported. Ian Phillips, Zach Alcos (7) and catcher(s) not reported.
W– Phillips. L– Gainey.
Leading hitters– Dam: Kaimana Cameron 2-3, run, RBI; Dylan Tapat 1-1, 2 RBIs. StF: Jared Yara 3-3, 3 2b; Alcos 2-3, 3 RBIs.
oia red East baseball
No. 10 Kalani 5, Roosevelt 2
The Falcons rallied with three runs in the top of the fifth inning to beat the Rough Riders.
Connor Zalewski’s double to right field drove in the winning run for the Falcons.
At Roosevelt |
Kalani (4-0) |
200 |
030 |
0 |
— |
5 |
8 |
1 |
Roosevelt (1-2) |
200 |
000 |
0 |
— |
2 |
2 |
2 |
Harrison Moy, Duke Fujii (4) and Bronson Matsumoto. Shayne Cazinha, Matt Schewe (5) and Jared Tamashiro.
W– Fujii. L– Cazinha.
Leading hitters– Kaln: Connor Zalewski 2-3, 2b, RBI.
Moanalua 5, Kaiser 4
Cody Isa’s double in the bottom of the seventh inning brought home the winning run to lead Na Menehune over the Cougars.
Moanalua’s Kamalu Simeona struck out six batters in six innings.
At Moanalua |
Kaiser (1-2) |
301 |
000 |
0 |
— |
4 |
10 |
0 |
Moanalua (2-1) |
001 |
000 |
4 |
— |
5 |
6 |
3 |
Kamalu Simeona, Kainoa Torres (7), Steven Miyata (7) and Emmett Covello. Tanner Inouye, Brandon Ikehara (3), Randy Tabura (6) and Kekaulike Kalua.
W– Tabura. L– Torres.
Leading hitters– Kais: Emmett Garcia 2-3, 2b, RBI, run; Torres 3-4; Covello 2b, RBI. Moan: Tabura 2-2, 2b, RBI, run; Cody Isa 2b, 2 RBIs, run; Kalua 2b, RBI.
No. 8 Kailua 31, Kaimuki 1, 5 inn.
The Surfriders exploded for 22 hits and played sound defense in a win over the Bulldogs.
Lawson Faria and Stone Parker homered for Kailua. Austin Inouye had a triple for Kaimuki.
At Kaimuki |
Kailua (2-2) |
694 |
(10)2 |
— |
31 |
22 |
0 |
Kaimuki (1-3) |
001 |
00 |
— |
1 |
2 |
2 |
Joey Cantillo, Keiki Kanahele-Santos (3), Nick Faulkner (5) and catcher(s) not reported. Andrew Neves, Raymundo Gomez Jr. (2), Gerson Palsis (2), Jamon Young (3), Simon Federle (4), Bailey Uehara (4) and catcher(s) not reported.
W– Cantillo. L– Neves
Leading hitters– Kail: Brenden Odo 3-3, 2b, 3b, 3 RBIs, 3 runs; Cody Rituran 2-3, 2b, 2 RBIs, 2 runs; Lawson Faria HR, 3 RBIs, 3 runs; Kanahele-Santos 2-3, 2b, 3 RBIs, run; Stone Parker HR, 2 RBIs, run. Kaim: Austin Inouye 3b, RBI.
oia red west baseball
No. 2 Mililani 12, Waianae 2, 6 inn.
The Seariders struggled with eight errors in a lop-sided loss to the No. 2 Trojans.
Aris-Shea Nakagawa led Mililani with a double among two hits.
At Mililani |
Waianae (0-4) |
002 |
000 |
— |
2 |
2 |
8 |
Mililani (3-1) |
100 |
191 |
— |
12 |
11 |
2 |
Thomas Kaauwai, Iokepa Kaauwai (5), Quinn Searle (5) and Rico Rosario, Earl Keamo-Young (5). Jace Nakama, Damien Lung (4), Keolu Ramos (6) and Hunter Kirihara.
W– Lung. L– Kaauwai.
Leading hitters– Mil: Kaimana Souza-Paaluhi 2b, 2 RBIs, run; Aris-Shea Nakagawa 2-3, 2b, RBI, 2 runs; Korrey Siracusa 2 runs, RBI; CJ Ibara 2-2, RBI, 2 runs.
oia White baseball
Waialua 13, McKinley 4, 6 inn.
The Bulldogs overcame seven errors to beat the Tigers on the road.
Royce Tashiro’s three hits, including a home run, paced the Waialua offense.
Elijah Vincent led the McKinley offense with two hits, including a triple.
At McKinley |
Waialua (1-0-1) |
430 |
312 |
— |
13 |
10 |
7 |
McKinley (0-1) |
010 |
300 |
— |
4 |
6 |
5 |
Mila Lele, Royce Tashiro( 3) and Jake Rivlera. Noah Diaz, Keanu Bolkeim( 2), Cameron Fernandez (3), Ko’olau Anderson(5), Elijah Vincent(6) and Royden Espiritu.
W– Lele. L– Diaz.
Leading hitters– Wail: Kyven Dijion 3b; Tashiro 3-5, HR, 3 RBI; Matthew Hatchie 2-5, 2b; Richard Allen 3-5, 3b, 3 RBI. McK: Vincent 2-3, 3b.
Farrington 15, Radford 5, 5 inn.
Austin Riley-Echiberi went 4-for-4 with a triple and five RBIs to lead the Governors over the Rams in five innings.
Stanley Misioka pitched a complete game for Farrington.
At Radford |
Farrington (1-0) |
218 |
40 |
— |
15 |
7 |
0 |
Radford (0-1) |
300 |
02 |
— |
5 |
8 |
3 |
Stanley Misioka and Brett Walden. Jacob Nishitomi, Carter Ogino (3), Richard Akana (4), Tjader De Alba (5) and Dominic Albalos.
W– Misioka. L– Nishitomi.
Leading hitters– Farr: Austin Riley-Echiberi 4-4, 3b, 5 RBIs, 3 runs; Walden 3 runs; Misioka 2 runs; Jace Baguio 2b; Kody Leiu 2b, 2 runs; Bindo Venzon 3 runs. Rad: Nishitomi 2-3; Albalos 2 runs; Tayvis Passos 2b; Quintin Iriarte 2-3, two 2bs, 3 RBIs.
Kapolei 5, Kalaheo 2
Abel Kanehe had four hits to lead the Hurricanes over the Mustangs.
Kapolei’s Ty-Noah Williams pitched six innings for the win.
At Kailua District Park |
Kapolei (1-0) |
001 |
003 |
1 |
— |
5 |
10 |
1 |
Kalaheo (0-1-1) |
200 |
000 |
0 |
— |
2 |
9 |
2 |
Ty-Noah Williams, Jacob Filio (7) and Mykah Kuratani. Kaliu Lapera, Thomas Capllonch (7) and Curtis Chung Jr.
W– Williams. L– Lapera.
Leading hitters– Kapo: Isaac Badua 2-4, 2b, run; Cobey Fujii 2-4, RBI, run; Adam Berg 2b. Kalh: Capllonch 2-4, RBI; Abel Kanehe 4-4, 2b, 3b, RBI.
ilh softball
No. 3 Kamehameha 20, Sacred Hearts 1, 5 inn.
Mahina Sauer went the distance on the mound and went 5-for-5 from the plate to lead the Warriors in a rout over the Lancers.
At Ala Wai Field |
Kamehameha (2-0) |
322 |
(11)2 |
— |
20 |
15 |
1 |
Sacred Hearts (0-2) |
100 |
0 0 |
— |
1 |
2 |
2 |
Mahina Sauer and Kalei Kaneshiro, Kyler Stephens. Kiley Ozaki, Kaua Huihui-Awa (4) and Divine Victorino.
W– Sauer L– Ozaki.
Leading hitters– KSK: Dallas Maywood 2-3, HR, 3 RBIs; Sauer 5-5, 3 RBIs; Kaneshiro 3-4, 5 RBIs. SHA: Ozaki 1-1, RBIs.
No. 5 Punahou 5, No. 9 ‘Iolani 4
D’Asha Saiki hit a single to left field and drove in the winning run for the Buffanblu with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Cassie Ho added two doubles for Punahou.
‘Iolani’s Kennedi Lopes took the loss on the mound.
At ‘Iolani |
Punahou (1-1) |
000 |
032 |
0 |
— |
5 |
10 |
2 |
‘Iolani (1-1) |
210 |
100 |
0 |
— |
4 |
8 |
1 |
Jolie Fujita and Janelle Sato. ‘Iolani pitcher Marley Dyer, Kennedi Lopes (5) and Cassie Ho.
W– Fujita. L– Lopes.
Leading hitters– Pun: Elyse Nakamoto 3-4, RBI, 2 runs; D’Asha Saiki 3-4, 3b, 2 RBIs, run. Iol: Cassie Ho 2-4, two 2bs, RBI; Marcee Nakamura 2-2, 2b.
Pac-Five 10, Mid-Pacific 3
The Wolfpack racked up 14 hits in a win over the Owls.
Pac-Five’s Megan Yoshioka pitched the complete game, while Shazzareigh Nakoa Chung led the offense with two doubles and three RBIs.
Skylar Tanaka led Mid-Pacific with a home run in the bottom of the second inning.
At Mid-Pacific |
Pac-Five (2-0) |
250 |
201 |
0 |
— |
10 |
14 |
1 |
Mid-Pacific (0-2) |
010 |
011 |
X |
— |
3 |
7 |
4 |
Megan Yoshioka and Shazzareigh Nakoa-Chung. Jaeda Cabunoc, Mikayla Fonoti (3) and Lia Nakamoto.
W–Yoshioka. L–Cabunoc.
Leading hitters– Pac: Nakoa-Chung 2-5, two 2bs, 3 RBIs, 3 runs; Brazzlyn Tovio-Asato 2-5, 2b, run; Kiara Peterson 2-5, 2b, 2 RBIs, run; Cameron Peterson 3-4, RBI; Camryn Okada 3-4, RBI, run. MPI: Taylor Estrada 2b, run; Skylar Tanaka HR, RBI, run.
No. 4 Maryknoll 12, St Francis 2, 5 inn.
Bree Soma went 3-for-3 as the Spartans smothered the Saints in five innings. Maryknoll pitcher Maia McNicoll allowed three hits in five innings for the win.
At Ala Wai Field |
Maryknoll (2-0) |
315 |
12 |
— |
12 |
11 |
2 |
St. Francis (0-2) |
002 |
00 |
— |
2 |
3 |
2 |
Maia McNicoll and Kiana Arcayena. Tiare Guerrero, Caryn Chinen (2), Shaye Simms (4) and Tiana Creekmur.
W–McNicoll. L–Guerrero.
Leading hitters– Mryk: Bree Soma 3-3, 2 RBIs, 2 runs; Bailey Kahele 2-3, 2b, 2 RBIs, run; Miki Takara 2 runs; Chynna Mekaru 2 runs, RBI; McNicoll 2b, RBI run; Kamalei Labasan 2b, RBI, run; Kasey Magdadaro 2b, run. StF: Simms 2b, run; Skye Ah Yat 2b, RBI.
oia red east softball
Castle 43, McKinley 2, 4 inn.
The Knights routed the Tigers behind a balanced offensive effort.
The Castle battery of Mele Turner and Moana Hillen combined for 15 RBIs and three home runs. Mariah Makuakane and Kristy Ho each registered hits for McKinley.
At Castle |
McKinley (0-2) |
0 0 0 |
2 |
— |
0 |
0 |
4 |
Castle (2-1) |
(13)(13)3 |
(14) |
— |
10 |
11 |
0 |
Anela Costorio, Madi Cristobal (2), Whitney Pauso (4) and Agsana Giemgmary. Mele Turner, Cybelle Murakami (3) and Moana Hillen, Shayla Young.
W– Turner L– Costorio.
Leading hitters– McK: Mariah Makuakane 1-3; Kristy Ho 1-2, double. Cast: Hillen 3-5, HR, 6 runs, 8 RBIs; Turner 3-6, 2 HR, Shea Keaunui 3-4.
oia red west softball
Leilehua 13, Waianae 6
Chasity Stalcup earned the win and Brandi Leond went 4-for-5 with a home run as the Mules topped the Seariders.
At Waianae |
Leilehua (1-2) 103 |
300 |
0 |
— |
13 |
17 |
5 |
Waianae (0-3) 000 |
410 |
1 |
— |
6 |
10 |
4 |
Chasity Stalcup and catcher(s) not reported. B. Pittman, R. Santiago (5) and catcher(s) not reported.
W–Stalcup. L–Pittman.
Leading hitters– Lei: Brandi Leong 4-5, HR, 2 RBIs, 3 runs; Chelsea Lobitos 3-5, 2b, 3b, 4 RBIs, run; Pomai Nahulu 2-5, HR, 4 RBIs, 2 runs; Ashley Salausa 2-5, HR, RBI, run; Mahea Calizo 2-4; Staisa Micky 2-4, 3 runs; Kawena Kahana-Travis 2b, RBI, run. Wain: L. Kotrys 2-3; A. Molina 2 runs; K. Hensley 2-4; T. Pai 2-4, 2b, run; D. Kungert 2 RBIs; R. Santiago 2-3, RBI, run.
OIA division ii softball
Farrington 7, Kalani 6
Kylie Caranilla’s game-winning RBI single to right field completed the Farrington rally. The Governors were down 5-1 in the fourth inning.
Cherise Horita took the loss for the Falcons, with Kaipo Castillo earning the win. Both pitchers went the distance.
Horita hit a three-run home run in the top of the second inning, while Farrington’s Tanisha Tauaulai hit one of her own in the bottom of the fourth.
At Joey Desa Field |
Kalani (0-1) |
131 |
001 |
0 |
— |
6 |
5 |
2 |
Farrington (2-0) |
100 |
302 |
1 |
— |
7 |
8 |
2 |
Cherise Horita and Kylie Pagud. Kaipo Castillo and Kaycie Okada.
W–Castillo. L–Horita.
Leading hitters– Kaln: Horita 2-4, HR; Toni Ibara 2-4, 2 triples. Far: Tanisha Taualai HR, Kyle Carganilla 2-3, 2 runs.
Nanakuli 22, Aiea 0,5 innings
The Golden Hawks amassed 15 hits in a rout of Na Alii.
Chalyssa Belford earned the win for Nanakuli, striking out four over three innings.
Chantelle Shimabukuro was tagged with the loss for Aiea.
At Nanakuli |
Aiea (1-1) |
0 0 0 |
00 |
— |
0 |
3 |
6 |
Nanakuli (2-0) |
(11) 3 1 |
6X |
— |
21 |
15 |
0 |
Chantelle Shimabukuro, Venetia-May Ueoka (4) and Ueoka, Tesi Tavale. Chalyssa Belford, Keani Sonognini (4) and Kaila Burnett, Karmen Aiwohi.
W–Belford. L–Shimabukuro.
Leading hitters– Aiea: Basya Valencia 1-3; Shimabukuro 1-3, Ueoka 1-3. Nan: Burnett 3-3, 3 runs, 3 RBI; Daria Kawaauhau 2-3, 5 RBIs.