Wailuku >> The Baldwin Bears nearly gave the game away in the top of the seventh inning, but scored two runs on a hit and a throwing error in the bottom of the seventh to escape with a 3-2 semifinal win over the Campbell Sabers on Friday

The bases were loaded with one out when Kawena Alo-Kaonohi sent a slow grounder to third, where Justin Fernandez fielded and misfired on his throw to first base. The throw was short and caromed off first baseman Roy Clemons. Bobby Drayer scored the tying run and Haloa Dudioit scored from second base with the the winning run for MIL champion Baldwin (16-0).

“I told myself, I’m scoring no matter what as long as the ball is hit,” Dudoit said. “I didn’t really hold up (at third base).

“I saw that ball go down and I kept running.”

Junior Damien Awai went the distance on the mound for the Bears, allowing just one earned run on three hits. He struck out six and walked one.

“This crowd, it’s the first time I’ve pitched in front of this many people,” Awai said.

Campbell starting pitcher Jamin Kalaola, a sophomore, went five innings, allowing one run on three hits.

It was a close battle all the way. After leaving two runners on base in the third, Baldwin broke through with a run in the fourth. With two outs, Chayce Akaka’s fly ball to left was muffed and he reached second base standing up. Nawai Ah Yen then singled to left, scoring Akaka.

OIA fifth-place finisher Campbell (12-7) tied the game in the top of the fourth with a gift from the Bears. Ikaika Ganancial reached base on an infield error, and Awai hit Jordan Macias on a 1-2 pitch. After the runners advanced on a wild pitch, Fernandez’s sacrifice fly to center brought Ganancial from third to tie the game at 1.

Justin Fernandez scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch in the top of the seventh inning for the defending champion Sabers. Fernandez led the inning off with a walk, the first issued by Awai. He moved to second on Todd Takahama’s single to center, then advanced to third on a wild pitch.

Fernandez then came home when a high fastball got away to the backstop. Catcher Cade Kalehuawehe got to the ball quickly, but couldn’t get a grip on it as Fernandez, who got a late jump, raced home to score for a 2-1 lead.