OIA BASEBALL PLAYOFFS
RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Kalani's Andrew Jones collided with Waianae's Darius Fuller at second base during a pickoff attempt yesterday.
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Kalani rides lefty past No. 9 Waianae
Kumashiro strikes out seven as the Falcons advance
For someone who couldn't catch a break, Shamus Kumashiro is finally living up to his name.
The junior southpaw gave Kalani 6-2/3 innings on the mound as the Falcons fought off ninth-ranked Waianae 7-5 yesterday in the opening round of the Oahu Interscholastic Association baseball playoffs.
Ridge Carpenter, who hit .654 in regular-season play, was 2-for-4 as Kalani made the most of its five base hits against Ande Kuakini and Darius Fuller.
A robust crowd at Kahala Community park saw Kumashiro strike out seven and walk two as Kalani (8-3) advanced to the quarterfinals. The Falcons face Aiea today at Central Oahu Regional Park with a state-tournament berth at stake. The loser will still be in the running for the league's fifth berth.
Solid defense and a gritty effort by Kumashiro paved the way for Kalani. Kumashiro, whose first name translates to "one who supplants," did his part to upend a Waianae team that has been ranked as high as No. 3 in the Star-Bulletin Top 10.
"He's been a hard-luck pitcher. Our defense didn't play behind him earlier in the season," Kalani coach Shannon Hirai said. "The Kaiser game was a turning point for him. In this kind of situation, this is the best he's done."
The Falcons have only two seniors, but chemistry is a given.
"Most of us have been together since we were 7, 8 years old in the Wai-Kahala (Little) League," Kumashiro said. "We all trust each other."
Waianae fell to 7-4.
"We had a good season, basically. I do think we're pretty well matched up. They took advantage of circumstances," Waianae coach Kekoa Kaluhiokalani said. "We couldn't afford to make mistakes against a quality team like that."
The Seariders committed four errors in all, including two by normally reliable shortstop Fuller. The miscues allowed Kalani to score three unearned runs -- the difference between a win and a loss.
Kumashiro crafted six strong innings with a sizzling fastball and hard-biting curve before running into trouble in the seventh.
Down 7-2, the Seariders got a one-out, pinch-hit walk from Nate Malaki, and singles by Fuller and Barak Holt to load the bases. Ben McQuown followed with a fielder's choice grounder to bring in Malaki, but the throw from second baseman Darren Takemoto to first went awry. That permitted Fuller to score, and Waianae was within 7-4.
Kuakini followed with a double to left, bringing home McQuown. That's when Joshua Markwith took the mound and retired Will Duseigneur on a grounder to shortstop, ending the game.
"This is big. It's great for the kids. Now they can play on TV," said Hirai, referring to today's matchup against Aiea.
Kalani has beaten Aiea twice, both in preseason tournaments.
"But we play in the present, not the past," Kumashiro said. "They're gonna be tough."
Kuakini started on the mound and went 4 1/3 innings. The senior right-hander, who starts at catcher when he's not on the mound, struggled with his control and finished with three strikeouts and four walks.
At Kalani H.S. field
Waianae (7-4) |
002 |
000 |
3 |
-- |
5 |
8 |
4 |
Kalani (8-3) |
030 |
040 |
x |
-- |
7 |
5 |
2 |
Ande Kuakini, Darius Fuller (5) and R.J. Tacgere-Bailey (5), Kuakini. Shamus Kumashiro, Joshua Markwith (7) and Jason Lee.
W--Kumashiro.
L--Kuakini.
Leading hitters--Wain: Darius Fuller 2-4, 3b, RBI; Barak Holt 2-3, RBI; Bud Pickering 2-3.Kaln: Ridge Carpenter 2-4.
Leilehua 2, Roosevelt 0
John Olley struck out four batters without giving up a walk in a complete-game shutout as the Mules defeated the Rough Riders.
The Mules (9-2), the third seed out of the West, advanced to a quarterfinal matchup against No. 2 East seed Kaiser (9-2). The Rough Riders finished the season at 5-6.
Sevy Tolentino got on base with a double in the second inning, advancing to third on a bunt. He then scored on a passed ball. Olley later scored the Mules' second run on a base hit by Woolley in the third.
At Fred Wright Park
Roosevelt (5-6) |
000 |
000 |
0 |
-- |
0 |
5 |
1 |
Leilehua (9-2) |
011 |
000 |
x |
-- |
2 |
6 |
0 |
Dane Kinoshita and Shannon Fukata. John Olley and Ehukai Woolley.
W--Olley.
L--Kinoshita.
Leading hitters--Roos: Keoni Manago 2b.Lei: Sevy Tolentino 2b.
Castle 6, Mililani 3
The Knights piled on 13 hits as they ousted the West's fourth-seeded Trojans.
Royce Diaz allowed just three hits in the win as the Knights, the fifth seed out of the East, move on to play Moanalua.
Kyle Kanaeholo and Jordan Nakaiamo each went 3-for-4 with a double for the Knights.
At Mililani H.S. field
Castle (7-4) |
103 |
002 |
0 |
-- |
6 |
13 |
3 |
Mililani (7-4) |
000 |
120 |
0 |
-- |
3 |
3 |
1 |
Royce Diaz and David Mohika. Dustin Antolin, Kylen Cadiam (6) and Blayne Kamahiai.
W--Diaz.
L--Antolin.
Leading hitters--Cas: Kyle Kanaeholo 3-4, 2b; Jordan Nakaiamo 3-4, 2b; Kyle Abasial 2-4; Corey Paredes 3b; Dallas Olsen 2b, 2 RBIs.Mil: Richie Mariano 2 RBIs.