Leilehua’s bench didn’t make a big impact on the box score, but still helped set the tone for the Mules’ win over Pearl City on Wednesday.

Each of Leilehua’s first seven games in the OIA Red West baseball season had been decided by two runs or less, with the Mules on the short end five times. Rather than tighten the reins on the team, head coach Lane Watanuki emphasized having fun entering Wednesday’s game against the reigning state champion Chargers. The Mules responded with a 3-2 victory.

“That was the biggest thing, our bench had fun and that carried over to our kids on the field and they played a little more relaxed,” Watanuki said.

Trailing 2-1 going into the fifth inning, the Mules’ short-game execution produced the tying and go-ahead runs and junior left-hander Cody Academia, bouyed by a vocal dugout, worked out of trouble throughout the game to pick up the complete-game win.

“This was a good team win,” said Academia, who struck out four and gave up nine hits but stranded eight Pearl City runners on base. “Everybody contributed, so it meant much more to me.”

Leilehua (3-5) managed four hits off of Pearl City pitchers Sumi Pruett, who made his first start of the OIA season, and reliever Tyler Tokunaga, but manufactured three runs in support of Academia.

Leadoff hitter Aaron Taoy was hit by a pitch in the third inning, advanced on two pitches in the dirt and scored when another pitch went to the backstop.

Pearl City jumped ahead in the fourth when Tokunaga’s looping hit down the right-field line with two on and two out landed fair to score both runners.

Leilehua answered with a two-run rally in the fifth, sparked by catcher Ian Kaopua’s leadoff double to right-center. Dadrian Ah Quin laid down a bunt and the throw to first sailed high and courtesy runner Joshua Lorenzo came around with the tying run. With Ah Quin on third, Albert Talaroc chopped a bunt toward second base to give the Mules the lead.

“You ask any coach in the OIA, they all know we play the short game,” Watanuki said. “It’s something we practice and something we emphasize every day. We played the short game and I’m glad we were able to execute today.”

Pearl City stranded a runner at second in the fifth inning and began the sixth with a single by Tyler Hazama. Academia turned in a clutch defensive play by fielding a bunt and throwing out the lead runner at second, then induced a double-play grounder to shortstop to end the inning.

Pearl City threatened again with one out in the seventh when Reid Akau walked and moved to second on a groundout. But Academia got his 10th ground ball out of the game to seal the win.

“He pitched a good game and they executed well,” Pearl City coach Mitch Yamato said. “Both teams played a good game, they just out-executed us. … He was around the zone and pitched well and they made the plays when they needed to.”

The Chargers (5-4) and Mules play again on Saturday at Fred Wright Park in Wahiawa.

“Like I told (the Chargers), there’s no room to panic,” Yamato said. “We’re in the same situation we were in last year and we ended up doing all right.”

The Spartans scored four runs on four hits in the second inning to beat the Wolfpack.
Maryknoll’s Kaelen Hirashiki hit a triple and brought in two runs to secure the win.

Three Mustangs pitchers combined for a no-hitter en route to a mercy-rule victory over the Golden Hawks.