Front-running Pearl City found itself in a tangled mess with Waipahu through five innings on Thursday before unloading for five runs in the sixth on the way to a 16-7 victory.
The score was knotted 6-6 after five with the host Marauders looking to give the Chargers their first loss of the season, but, in addition to the late offensive onslaught, Pearl City got a clutch performance from left-hander Trestan Nakamura, who shut the door with three innings of one-hit, scoreless relief.
“Trestan is one of our guys who we rely on throughout the season, one of four starters,” said Pearl City head coach Gavin Concepcion, whose team — ranked No. 2 in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Top 10 — improved to 10-0 in the Oahu Interscholastic Association West.
The Chargers grabbed a 5-0 lead before the Marauders (2-7) tied it up 5-5 in the bottom of the fourth. Both teams scored a single run in the fourth to make it 6-6.
“Our pitchers (starter Blazsen Ferreira and reliever Gabriel Ballesteros) got behind in the counts and were forced to throw strikes,” Waipahu head coach Jared Abreu said. “A good hitting team like Pearl City is going to hit the ball if they know a strike is coming. They (the Chargers) had no panic. We kind of pressured out a little.”
Davin Kapuras, after starting 0-for-3, came through for the Chargers in his fourth at-bat in the sixth, smashing a two-run double to left for an 8-6 lead. Trenton Darley’s two-run single, Ansin Mostoles’ RBI hit and Nakamura’s sacrifice fly quickly boosted the score to 12-6. Matthew Aribal led off that pivotal inning with a bunt hit, his second of the game in a 3-for-3 performance.
“There was a lefty on the mound who would fall off toward third base after the pitch and the first baseman was kind of playing far back,” Aribal said. “I knew if I could just lay one down where they both go for it, I knew I had it in the bag.”
Sure enough, his bunt found a place where it was tough for any fielder to get to in time and he easily made it to first.
Said Concepcion: “Those two bunt hits were on his own. He understood the situations.”
Sam Prentice, Pearl City’s starting pitcher who was tagged for five runs in the third, was a major factor at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a double, two RBIs, two stolen bases and two runs scored. Darley went 3-for-4 with a double, four RBIs and two runs.
For the Marauders, Kobie Russell had a 2-for-2 day, with a triple and four RBIs, including a sacrifice fly in the sixth that made it 12-7.
“Just because we were tied 6-6 in the fifth doesn’t mean we’re going to win,” Russell said. “You gotta play all the way to the seventh and the last out.”
Pearl City took advantage of four Waipahu errors in the seventh to tack on its final four runs.
“Our record doesn’t mean anything,” Aribal, a sophomore, said. “We’ve got to keep preparing for the next day. Davin (Kapuras) was struggling at first, and we told him that he just had to forget about it, and he came up with that big hit that scored two runs, and Trestan (Nakamura) will compete for us every day and that’s what he did.”
OIA DIVISION I WEST BASEBALL
No. 2 Pearl City 16, Waipahu 7
At Waipahu
Pearl City (10-0) |
131 |
106 |
4 |
— |
16 |
16 |
1 |
Waipahu (2-7) |
005 |
101 |
0 |
— |
7 |
4 |
5 |
Sam Prentice, Torey Chun (3), Trestan Nakamura (5), and Kaleb Nishijo. Blazsen Ferreira, Gabriel Ballesteros (4), Michael Price (6), Kobie Russell (7) and Cole Phillips.
W—Nakamura. L—Ballesteros.
Leading hitters—PC: Colby Hirano RBI; Prentice 3-5, 2B, 2 runs, 2 RBI; Christian Onomura 2-5, 3 runs, RBI; Trenton Darley 3-5, 2B, 2 runs, 4 RBI; Davin Kapuras 2B, 2 runs, 2 RBI; Matthew Aribal 3-3, 3 runs. Waip: Russell 2-2, 3B, run, 4 RBI; Steven De Silva 3B, run, 2 RBI.
No. 4 Mililani 8, Leilehua 7, 10 inn.
Aris-Shea Nakagawa’s RBI single in the top of the 10th inning was the difference as the Trojans held off the Mules in extra innings.
At Leilehua
Mililani (9-1) |
101 |
004 |
001 |
1 |
— |
8 |
14 |
4 |
Leilehua (2-7) |
021 |
111 |
001 |
0 |
— |
7 |
9 |
2 |
Jace Nakama, Damien Lung (3), Brennan Anzai (4), Keolu Ramos (6) and Hunter Kirihara. Christian Ontai, Kawai Phifer (6), Jaryn Kanbara (10) and Jaryn Kanbara, Jason Hook.
W—Ramos. L—Kanbara.
Leading hitters—Mil: Rico Sallas 3-6, 2 runs; Kaimana Souza-Paaluhi 2-2 2B, 2 runs, RBI; Aris-Shea Nakagawa 3-5, 3 RBI; Ramos HR, run, RBI; Kirihara 2-4. Lei: Phifer 2-2, 2 runs; Nai Cordero 3B, 2 runs; Dancin Ah Quin 2 RBI.
Campbell 2, Aiea 1
Jamin Kalaola pitched a complete game, allowing only two hits and striking out three batters as the Sabers defeated Na Alii.
At Campbell
Aiea (3-6) |
100 |
000 |
0 |
— |
1 |
2 |
4 |
Campbell (5-5) |
100 |
100 |
x |
— |
2 |
6 |
2 |
Jake Saum and Jake Nakamoto. Jamin Kalaola and Bronson Burr.
W—Kalaola. L—Saum.
Leading hitters—Aiea: Jayvin Alcantra 2B, RBI. Camp: Roy Clemons-Dias 2-3, 2B, RBI; Ikaika Ganancial 2-2, 2b; Bronson Burr 2-3.
OIA DIVISION I EAST BASEBALL
No. 5 Kalani 4, Roosevelt 3, 10 inn.
Kyle Sasano hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 10th inning to lift the Falcons past the Rough Riders.
Duke Fujii led Kalani’s bullpen, pitching five innings and striking out three batters.
At Kahala Park
Roosevelt (5-4) |
000 |
003 |
000 |
0 |
— |
3 |
10 |
1 |
Kalani (9-1) |
011 |
000 |
100 |
1 |
— |
4 |
5 |
3 |
Dylan Nakatsuka, Shayne Cazinha (4), Hiram Kaikaina (7) and Jared Tamashiro. Duke Fujii, Harrison Moy (6), Micah Kawano (7), Connor Zalewski (10) and Bronson Matsumoto.
W—Zalewski. L—Kaikaina.
Leading hitters—Roos: Kaikaina 2-4, HR, 2B, run, 3 RBI; Cazinha 2-3; Koby Brown 2-4. Kaln: Reece Kakugawa 2-4, 3B, run.
Kailua 8, Kaimuki 0
Keiki Kanahele had two hits, including a double, and drove in five runs as the Surfriders shut out Bulldogs.
At Kailua
Kaimuki (2-8) |
000 |
000 |
0 |
— |
0 |
2 |
3 |
Kailua (7-3) |
500 |
102 |
x |
— |
8 |
8 |
1 |
Kamaha’o Keoho, Raymundo Gomez Jr. (5) and Kobe Hedgar. Bryson Ballesteros, Cody Takabuki (6), Dylan Kurahashi-Choy Foo (7) and Cameron Kamai, Nicholas Manner (6).
W—Ballesteros. L—Keoho.
Leading hitters—Kail: Noah Auld 2-3, run, RBI; Keiki Kanahele-Santos 2-4, 2B, 5 RBI; Dalton Kalama 2B, run, RBI; Dustin Imanaka 2B, 3 runs; Cody Riturban 2B.
Moanalua 10, Kaiser 4
Skyler Yamamoto pitched 4 1/3 innings of one-hit relief as Na Menehune scored nine unanswered runs for the come-from-behind victory.
At Kaiser
Moanalua (6-3) |
001 |
501 |
3 |
— |
10 |
13 |
1 |
Kaiser (3-6) |
202 |
000 |
0 |
— |
4 |
9 |
3 |
Brandon Ikehara, Skyler Yamamoto (3) and Kekaulike Kalua. Kennedy Chun, Justin Pa’a’aina (4), Jace Kaito (4), Emmett Covello (7) and Emmett Covello, Antonio Omphroy (7).
W—Yamamoto. L—Pa’a’aina.
Leading hitters—Moan: Dilan Casupang 2-4, 2 runs; Ryne Oshiro 2-4, 2 runs; Jerred Soriano 3-4, 2 runs, RBI; Mark Kitano-Maguire 2-4, 2 runs, RBI; Cody Isa 2B, RBI. Kais: Kainoa Torres 2-4, HR, 2 runs, RBI; Emmett Garcia 2-3, run.
OIA DIVISION II BASEBALL
Kalaheo 6, Nanakuli 5
Thomas Capplonch struck out five batters and batted 3-for-3 to lead the Mustangs past the Golden Hawks.
At Kalaheo
Nanakuli (2-6) |
002 |
300 |
0 |
— |
5 |
3 |
3 |
Kalaheo (5-3) |
030 |
120 |
x |
— |
6 |
4 |
3 |
Reggie Enriques, Keoni Calaruda-Sofa (5) and Josh Magner. Kekai Smith, Tennison Cantrell (4), Thomas Capllonch (4) and Curtis Chung Jr.
W—Capllonch. L—Calaruda-Sofa.
Leading hitters—Nana: Watson Hoopai 2-4, run, 3 RBI. Kalh: Capllonch 3-3.
Kapolei 11, Kahuku 0, 5 inn.
Tristen Manhoa-Diaz had two hits, including a double, as the Hurricanes defeated the Red Raiders in five innings.
At Kapolei
Kahuku (1-6) |
000 |
00 |
— |
0 |
4 |
4 |
Kapolei (7-0) |
214 |
22 |
— |
11 |
8 |
1 |
Moon Pilanca-Parkins, Elvis Vakapuna (3) and Moewaa Graycochea. Jacob Filio, Andrei Spoyanow (4), Joey Ching (5) and Mycah Kuratani, Landon Kuroda (4).
W—Filio. L—Moon.
Leading hitters—Kapo: Cobey Fujii 2-3, 2 runs; Tristen Manhoa-Diaz 2-3, 2B, run, 2 RBI; Kyler Nakashima 2b.
Radford 14, McKinley 1, 5 inn.
Tjader De Alba pitched three innings and struck out five while going 3-for-3 at the plate with two doubles and five runs batted in as the Rams beat the Tigers.
Radford scored in every inning.
At McKinley
Radford (5-3) |
252 |
41 |
— |
14 |
8 |
1 |
McKinley (2-6) |
001 |
00 |
— |
1 |
4 |
4 |
Tjader De Alba, Quintin Iriarte (4) and Dominic Albalos. Koolau Anderson, Cameron Fernandez (2), Noah Diaz (4) and Royden Espiritu.
W—De Alba. L—Iriarte.
Leading hitters—Rad: Jacob Nishitomi 2-3, 3B, 3 runs, RBI; De Alba 3-3, 2 2B, run, 5 RBI; Dylan Lewis 2B, 2 RBI. McK: Espiritu 2-3, 2 2B, RBI.
ILH DIVISION II BASEBALL
Pac-Five 21, Hanalani 0, 5 inn.
The Wolfpack plated 10 runs in the first inning as they handled the Royals.
At Central Oahu Regional Park
Pac-Five (6-7) |
(10)36 |
11 |
— |
21 |
15 |
0 |
Hanalani (4-9) |
000 |
00 |
— |
0 |
1 |
9 |
Lee Tanaka, Canaan Fernandez (3), Ryan Moritsugu (4), Makoa Paresa (5) and Jared Miyasato. Nick Garcia-Reid, Max Ares (3) and Chad Wakabayashi.
W—Tanaka. L—Garcia-Reid.
Leading hitters—P5: Zane Oshiro 3-5, 4 runs, 2 RBI; Matt Matsuda 4-5, 2 runs, 3 RBI; Richard Higa 2B, 2 runs, 3 RBI; Brett Watanabe 2-3, 2B, 3 runs, 2 RBI; Casey Nakamura 2-4, 2 runs, 2 RBI.
St. Francis 13, Damien 0, 5 inn.
The Saints scored 11 runs in the first inning and didn’t look back as they overwhelmed the Monarchs.
At Central Oahu Regional Park
Damien (4-9) |
000 |
00 |
— |
0 |
1 |
3 |
St. Francis (12-1) |
(11)20 |
0x |
— |
13 |
13 |
1 |
Chayne Wayton, Dylan Tapat (1), Kaysen Kajiwara (1), Javin Cortez (4) and Milton Gainey. Jared Yara, Zach Alcos (4) and Jacob Poole.
W—Yara. L—Wayton.
Leading hitters—StF: Poole 3-4 2B, run, RBI; Shawn Ellis 2-2 2B, 2 runs, RBI; Ian Phillips 2-3 run, 3 RBI; Alcos 2-3 run, 2 RBI.
ILH SOFTBALL
No. 2 Kamehameha 11, Mid-Pacific 1
Dallas Millwood hit a three-run homer as the Warriors defeated the Owls to continue their undefeated record in league play.
At Kamehameha
Mid-Pacific (2-5) |
001 |
000 |
0 |
— |
1 |
5 |
3 |
KS (6-0-1) |
002 |
306 |
x |
— |
11 |
10 |
0 |
Michaela Fonoti, Jaeda Cabunoc (6) and Lia Nakamoto. Luana Low, Mahina Sauer (4) and Kyler Stephens.
W—Low. L—Fonoti.
Leading hitters—MPI: McKenna Silva HR. KS: Jordan Millwood 2B, RBI; Dallas Millwood 2-4, HR, 3 RBI; Sauer 2B, 3 RBI: Kalei Kaneshiro 2B; Stephens 2-4, RBI; Lia Tom 2B, 2 RBI.
Punahou 4, No. 6 Maryknoll 1
Bailey Akimseu pitched a complete-game three-hitter and was helped by a three-run third inning as the Buffanblu upset the Spartans.
At Punahou
Maryknoll (4-3) |
001 |
000 |
0 |
— |
1 |
3 |
1 |
Punahou (4-3) |
003 |
001 |
x |
— |
4 |
6 |
0 |
Maia McNicoll, Kamryn Kawakiwi (3) and Nohea Hee. Bailey Akimseu and D’Asha Saiki.
W—Akimseu. L—McNicoll.
Leading hitters—Mryk: Elyse Nakamoto 2-3, run, RBI; Saiki 2B, RBI; Wong 2B, RBI.
No. 9 ‘Iolani 11, Pac-Five 3
Kawai Scanlan had four hits and drove in three runs as the Raiders defeated the Wolfpack.
At Ala Wai Field
‘Iolani (5-2) |
230 |
012 |
3 |
— |
11 |
13 |
3 |
Pac-Five (4-2-1) |
002 |
000 |
1 |
— |
3 |
6 |
5 |
Aleia Agbayani, Marcee Nakamura (4) and Cassie Ho. Kiara Peterson, Megan Yoshioka (2) and Mikayla Chun.
W—Agbayani. L—Peterson.
Leading hitters—Iol: Kawai Scanlan 4-5, 3B, 4 runs, 3 RBI; Ho 2-4, 2B, 3B, 2 runs, RBI; Leila Anoina 2-3, run, RBI; Spencer Oda 3-5, 2 runs. P5: Kalyn Kershner 2B, 2 runs; Brazzlyn Tovio-Asato 2 RBI.
St. Francis 16, Sacred Hearts 7, 6 inn.
Korrie Matsumura was hot at the plate, hitting a double and a home run, as the Saints defeated the Lancers.
At Ala Wai Field
St. Francis (2-5) |
115 |
054 |
— |
16 |
17 |
3 |
Sacred Hearts (0-7) |
420 |
010 |
— |
7 |
10 |
5 |
Skye Ah Yat, Tiare Guerrero (2) and catcher not reported. Kaua Huihui-Awa, Jaimee Manupuna (6) and catcher not reported.
W—Huihui-Awa. L—Guerrero.
Leading hitters—StF: Kaena Keliinoi 2-5, 2B, 2 runs, 2 RBI; Korrie Matsumura 2-5, 2B, HR, 2 runs, 2 RBI; Sammie Ofoia 2-4, HR, 2 runs, 2 RBI; Kolbee Kealoha 2-4, 2 runs; Kenna Santos 3-4, 2B, 2 runs, RBI; Guerrero 2-3, 2 RBI; Ah Yat 2B, run. SHA: Huihui-Awa 2-4, 3B, 3 runs, RBI; Divine Victorino 2-4, run, 2 RBI.
OIA DIVISION II SOFTBALL
Kalani 12, Radford 7
Shandi Matsumoto had three hits and drove in two runs as the Falcons defeated the Rams.
At Radford
Kalani (5-2) |
024 |
302 |
1 |
— |
12 |
13 |
0 |
Radford (4-7) |
000 |
060 |
1 |
— |
7 |
6 |
6 |
Cherise Horita and Kylie Pagud. K. Dempsey and H. Siu-Auelua.
W—Horita. L—Dempsey.
Leading hitters—Kaln: Jacianne Furuya 2-5; Horita 2-4, 2 RBI; Tony-Lynn Ibara 2-4, 2 RBI; Pagud 3-3, 2 RBI; Shandi Matsumoto 3-3, 2 RBI. Rad: C. Farias 2-4; K. Busald 2B, 3 RBI; Siu-Auelua 2-3, 3B, 2 RBI.