WAILUKU >> One team’s downfall is another team’s opportunity.
Makana Murashige took full advantage, launching a grand slam to break open a close game as second-seeded Punahou outlasted third-seeded Hilo 10-2 on Friday night at Iron Maehara Stadium.
“I love these boys. If I didn’t have them, I wouldn’t be able to do any of this,” said Murashige, a senior third baseman. “They help me through everything. We help each other and that’s the camaraderie we have. It’s a brotherhood.”
Punahou advanced to the championship game of the Wally Yonamine Foundation/HHSAA Baseball State Championships and will meet the Mililani winner today at 6 p.m.
The semifinal round featured four seeded teams, all league champions, for the first time since 1990. Hilo’s young squad has plenty of promise for next season.
“I’m satisfied with what we did. Our goal is to win the championship game, but this is my first year and I’m proud of these young gentlemen,” Vikings coach Baba Lancaster said. “They learned the system and they learned about me. We became one happy family.”
The Buffanblu (24-5-1 overall), the Interscholastic League of Honolulu champions, had a 3-0 lead going into the fifth inning. Hilo pitcher Logan Wilson had settled in, but with one out, Punahou received the gift of three consecutive errors by Vikings’ freshman second baseman Xaige Lancaster.
Murashige then connected on an 0-1 pitch and sent it over the 340-foot sign at the left-field fence, extending Punahou’s lead to 7-1.
“We scored four runs, but we’re lucky to score four because I was about to call a suicide squeeze on that play. I’m so glad that we didn’t,” Punahou coach Keenan Sue said. “It couldn’t happen to a better guy. Makana is one of the hardest workers on our team. He’s one of the hearts of our team. He always shows up to play. He’s such a good dude, man. Regardless of what happens tomorrow, that’s a moment that they’ll remember until they’re our age.”
The barrage of runs gave Punahou starting pitcher Landon Carter a good cushion to work with.
“I got hyped after that. I love seeing guys like Makana who work real hard, you love to see the hard work pay off. It was a great moment. After that I knew I didn’t have to be perfect. I needed to let my defense work,” Carter said.
For a second day in a row, Punahou got a strong, quality start from the pitching staff. Carter went six innings, allowing just two runs on seven hits. He fanned eight and walked three in an effective performance.
Hilo scored twice in the bottom of the fifth to break the scoreless drought against Carter. Ryan Cabreira belted a one-out triple to right and Maui Ahuna walked, then stole second base. Cabreira raced home on the throw from the catcher to second base for Hilo’s first run.
Ocean Gabonia tripled to the right-field corner, scoring Ahuna to cut the lead to 7-2.
“We put up a lot of runs in the inning before that. We’re trying to throw strikes and let the defense work. Hat’s off to Hilo. They’re a great hitting team. They put great contact on a couple of pitches and got some runs,” Carter said.
Punahou then responded with two runs of its own in the top of the sixth. Cody Hirano doubled with one out and scored on Kalae Harrison’s second triple of the game. After Tsukada walked, pinch hitter Patrick Munley’s ground-ball forceout at second scored Harrison from third, and Punahou led 9-2.
