McDaniel, MPI roll past Kamehameha

Who, us?

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Mid-Pacific's dominant play this season is the humble attitude that persists in the top-ranked Owls' dugout, a mentality evident even after its convincing 7-1 win over No. 6 Kamehameha yesterday at MPI's Damon Field.

Ace Matthew McDaniel struck out eight Warriors and gave up four hits in his third complete game and third win in Interscholastic League of Honolulu play, while senior catcher Aaron Fujiki led an efficient afternoon offensively with a three-run shot over the center-field fence in the fifth inning to break open the game.

The Owls (21-1 overall) improved to 5-0 in the ILH to remain on top of the league standings. Coach Dunn Muramaru joked that his rotation is either McDaniel "or I pray for rain," and he got both as the game went on. McDaniel and Kamehameha's Chris Pascual were increasingly tested by inclement Manoa weather.

McDaniel proved his poise and longevity after he gave up his first run of the ILH season in the seventh on an RBI double by Ula Nakamura. He responded by striking out the next two batters in the rain and got Warriors catcher Keanu Carmichael to pop up to end it.

"He threw well today. He kept us off balance and we haven't been swinging the bat real well the last couple of games," Kamehameha coach Vern Ramie said. "He threw a lot of strikes, and their defense made a couple of plays to back him."

MPI consistently put pressure on Kamehameha's defense by getting its leadoff runner on base in five of six innings, and well-executed bunts by shortstop Wade Tamaru meant the Warriors had to sweat runners in scoring position.

"We've been getting kind of lucky on that one," Muramaru said. "It's a luxury."

Third baseman Michael Arakaki smacked home Mikey Nagamine in the second inning and right fielder Nick Tasaka put the Owls up 2-0 in the fourth with an RBI triple to right.

Then came the dagger. After Todd Nagamine walked and Russell Doi singled, Fujiki came to the plate.

He struck out on a changeup in his first at-bat, and was expecting another change for good measure. What he didn't expect was that the ball he hit high and deep would carry out of the ballpark into the banyan tree between MPI and the University of Hawaii campus.

"I actually thought it was a fly ball, but it actually went out," said Fujiki, who is bound for San Diego State in the fall. "I thought I got too under it. I was just trying to get my job done and bring in the runners at third and second. Pretty lucky."

Pascual was knocked out shortly thereafter and the Owls tacked on two more insurance runs off reliever Alika Pruett.

McDaniel paid as little heed as possible to what was happening as his teammates continuously rounded the bases.

"You always have to have the mentality that (your teammates) didn't score any runs," the junior left-hander said. "Always think that every inning's a 0-0 game."

At Damon Field

Kamehameha (2-3)	000	000	1	--	1	4	2
Mid-Pacific (5-0)	010	132	x	--	7	8	0

Chris Pascual, Alika Pruett (5) and Keanu Carmichael. Matthew McDaniel and Aaron Fujiki. W-McDaniel. L-Pascual.

Leading hitters--KS: Kapena Kalehuawehi-Gomes 2b; Piikea Kitamura 2-3, 2b; Ula Nakamura 2b. MPI: Russell Doi 2-2; Fujiki 2-3, HR, 3 RBIs; Mikey Nagamine 2-3; Nick Tasaka 3b.

Saint Louis 13, Pac-Five 12

The Crusaders erupted for eight runs in the third inning and then hung on for the win.

At Ala Wai Community Park

Pac-Five (1-4)	000	660	0	--	12	13	5
Saint Louis (4-1)	138	100	0	--	13	17	1

Tyler Moon, Shayne Nakata (3), Ryan Ueunten (3), Jordan Kumasaka (4) and Reid Morihara. Chris Chung, Jordan Akau (5), Kamakani Usui (5), Josh Saio (6) and Keoni Haina. W--Chung. L--Moon. S--Saio.

Leading hitters--Pac-Five: Kama Moises 3-5, 2 2bs, 3b, RBI, 2 runs; Ross Yamato 2-5, 3b, 4 RBIs; Tyler Moon 2-4, 2 runs, RBI; Ian Padeken 2-5, RBI; Matthew Nishiyama 2-3, 2 runs, RBI; Reid Morihara, 2b, 2 RBIs; Travis Ogimi, 2b, RBI. Saint Louis: Tamatoa DeMello 2-5, 2b, 3 RBIs, 2 runs; Danny Higa 2-3, 2b, RBI, 2 runs; Moses Samia 3-3, 2b, 3 RBIs; Marcus Kimura 3-4, 2b, RBI; Kaden Kamoe, 2 runs; Evan Fujihara 3-3, 2 2bs, 2 runs.

Damien 5, Maryknoll 0

D.J. Andrade threw a complete game four-hitter with three strikeouts as the Monarchs blanked the Spartans.

At Ala Wai Community Park

Damien (2-3)	001	210	1	--	5	10	0
Maryknoll (0-5)	000	000	0	--	0	4	2

D.J. Andrade and Darby Ventura. Gavin Oyadomari, Zack Fujimoto (7) and David Nishiki. W--Andrade. L--Oyadomari.

Leading hitters--Damien: Travis Derby 3-3, run, RBI; Michael Memea 2-3, run, RBI; Taylor Kauweloa, 3b; John Awa, 3b, run, RBI; Chris Wakazuru, run, RBI. Maryknoll: Fujimoto 2-3, 3b.