Na Alii nudge closer to top
Castle, Kalani move into prep poll
Call it "Baseball Poll: The Musical."
As in musical chairs. While Punahou and Iolani remained locked in the top two spots of the Star-Bulletin baseball Top 10, the other eight chairs have new occupants thanks to a reshuffling by a panel of coaches and media.
Punahou, now ranked No. 10 in the USA Today's West Region poll, collected all 16 first-place votes.
Three newcomers entered the Top 10. Castle, one of the hottest teams in the state, slid in at No. 8. Kalani returned to the poll at No. 9 and Waianae shares the seat with the Falcons.
Kamehameha and Pearl City slipped out of the poll after losing games last week. Kamehameha-Hawaii won its two games by a total score of 36-0, but dropped off the Top 10 anyway.
The difference?
Castle and Kalani defeated teams that are, or have been, ranked this year. Kamehameha-Hawaii's two wins included one over St. Joseph, which is winless.
Only 100 or so dedicated fans -- many from Mililani -- got to see the Hawaii high school baseball season's best pitchers' duel on Saturday.
Randy Castillo's 10-inning shutout of the Trojans gave Aiea a well-earned 1-0 victory and kept Na Alii's title hopes alive in the Oahu Interscholastic Association West.
The 126-pitch effort capped a rocky week for the right-handed junior. A less-than-stellar performance in the classroom left Castillo in the doghouse, so to speak.
"I had to do 'dog tags,' " he said of coach Ryan Kato's disciplinary action. Kato sees immense potential in the 6-footer.
"He's strong-willed, but he also has great dedication and desire," the coach said.
Castillo's performance included 13 strikeouts and just two walks. His Mililani opponent, Dustin Antolin, was spectacular, as well. The junior went 8 1/3 innings without allowing a hit. He struck out seven and didn't walk a batter.
He tired in the ninth inning, losing some bite on a normally wicked slider.
"He was at 107 pitches and I didn't want to jeopardize his career," coach Dean Sato said. "He's only a junior."
The difference in the approach for Castillo was understandable. He seemed to get stronger as the game wore on.
It was Aiea's fourth shutout in seven games, but the first time Na Alii were held to fewer than four runs.
It was Mililani's first loss in league play , but moved Na Alii within a half game of first place.
Aiea's only loss came to Waianae, which is also 6-1. The defending OIA champions have Waipahu, Campbell and Kapolei left on their schedule, while the Trojans meet a rival Leilehua squad this week and the 6-1 Seariders on the last day of the regular season.
Kamehameha keeps winning
Parker McMcCready scored on a delayed steal and Ashkon Kuhaulua drove in a pair of runs with a single to lead Kamehameha over Saint Louis 5-2 last night at Central Oahu Regional Park.
Waylen Sing Chow earned the win on the mound for the Warriors.
Kamehameha sweeps the season series with the Crusaders after beating them 11-5 on March 24.
At Central Oahu Regional Park
Kamehameha (5-5) |
002 |
012 |
0 |
-- |
5 |
7 |
4
|
Saint Louis (1-10) |
000 |
200 |
0 |
-- |
2 |
3 |
0
|
Waylen Sing Chow, John Worthington (5) and Lane Nakamura. Kamakani Usui, Josh Saio (4), Grant Costa (6) and Keoni Haina
W--Sing Chow.
L--Saio.
Leading hitters--Kam: Sing Chow 2-3, 2B; Ashkhon Kuhaulua 2-4, 2 RBIs; Lane Nakamura RBI. StL: Kyle Gonzaga 2B, Tamatoa Demello 2B.
OIA East
Through APRIL 14
TEAM |
W |
L |
T
|
Castle |
6 |
0 |
1
|
Roosevelt |
6 |
0 |
1 |
|
Kailua |
6 |
1 |
0
|
Kalani |
6 |
1 |
0
|
Kaiser |
5 |
2 |
0
|
Moanalua |
4 |
3 |
0
|
Kahuku |
2 |
6 |
0
|
Kalaheo |
2 |
6 |
0
|
McKinley |
1 |
5 |
0
|
Farrington |
0 |
7 |
0
|
Kaimuki |
0 |
7 |
0
|
OIA West
Through april 14
TEAM |
W |
L
|
Mililani |
7 |
1
|
Aiea |
6 |
1
|
Waianae |
6 |
1
|
Kapolei |
5 |
2
|
Leilehua |
5 |
2
|
Campbell |
4 |
3
|
Pearl City |
4 |
3
|
Waialua |
1 |
6
|
Waipahu |
1 |
6
|
Radford |
1 |
7
|
Nanakuli |
0 |
8
|
ILH
Through APRIL 14
TEAM |
W |
L
|
Punahou |
11 |
0
|
Iolani |
9 |
2
|
Mid-Pacific |
7 |
4
|
Kamehameha |
5 |
5
|
Damien |
5 |
6
|
Saint Louis |
1 |
10
|
Pac-Five |
0 |
11
|