Kalaheo’s last-gasp rally washes out Konawaena

Following a huge comeback win yesterday in their first state tournament game since 2003, the Kalaheo Mustangs made a game plan for today's quarterfinal showdown with Oahu Interscholastic Association champion Waipahu -- leave their lucky clothes unwashed.

Division II State Baseball All games at Central Oahu Regional Park Seeds: 1. Kauai (KIF); 2. St. Anthony (MIL); 3. Waipahu (OIA); 4. Honokaa (BIIF) Yesterday » Kohala 5, Kahuku 3 » Molokai 9, Radford 6 » Maryknoll 15, HPA 0 » Kalaheo 9, Konawaena 8 Today » Kahuku vs. Radford (field 1), 1 p.m. » Kauai vs. Kohala (field 2), 1 p.m. » Honokaa vs. Molokai (field 4), 1 p.m. » St. Anthony vs. Maryknoll (field 1), 3:30 p.m. » Waipahu vs. Kalaheo (field 2), 3:30 p.m.

After their five-run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning topped Konawaena 9-8 in the first round of the inaugural Wally Yonamine Foundation/HHSAA Division II Baseball State Championship, that was just fine with coach Timothy Lierman.

"I told them to do their laundry, so that's their call," the coach said with a grin. "If they want to stink it up and play in some dirty clothes, that's all up to them. I'm going to wash my socks."

It was just the bounce-back win the Mustangs needed following two tough losses in the OIA White Division tournament, which relegated them to the OIA's fourth position entering state play. Kalaheo rallied to tie the game at 4 in the third, but the Wildcats scored three times in the fourth and once in the seventh on a disputed call to take a commanding 8-4 lead into the bottom of the final frame.

Alika Kaanapu grounded out to start the inning, putting Konawaena two outs away from a quarterfinal berth. But Aaron Fernandez battled for a walk against Wildcats starter Jacob Medeiros, and Steve Vega and Colby Lee followed with consecutive doubles to put the tying run at the plate.

Konawaena coach Lloyd Fujino was forced to insert reliever Beven Kekoa in a very tough situation, and two wild pitches and two walks later, left fielder Kord Walls came up with a chance to punch home the tying run.

"We've been in that situation before several times, and we're a team that doesn't give up," said Walls, a senior. "We've got a lot of heart."

He came through with a single to right, scoring Kyle Sugi. After a flyout, Kaanapu, who led off the inning, walked on four pitches with the bases loaded to bring home the winning run.

"We was up four runs, and all we needed was a couple of outs," Fujino said. "But you gotta give Kalaheo credit. They had some timely base hits over there. And of course we ran into pitching trouble, walked them around. We lost the game on a walk."

Molokai 9, Radford 6, 8 inn.

Keaka Kamakana and Kaden Tabil scored after Scott Rapanot Jr.'s single to left field was misplayed, and the Farmers outlasted the Rams.

Radford sent the game into extra innings after rallying to tie the game at 6 in the bottom of the seventh -- Brad Osborne's single to right plating Matt Tsuneda.

Rapanot came on in the sixth inning and struck out eight for Molokai.

Kohala 5, Kahuku 3

Daylan Tagalicod singled to left-center field to drive in Tryston Corotan in the fourth inning and the Cowboys held off the Red Raiders.

Kohala's Blaise Kise struck out the side in the second inning and struck out nine to earn the win.

Maryknoll 15, Hawaii Prep 1, 5 inn.

Josh Arakaki tripled to left-center field and scored on Matt Guzman's single to center to ignite a seven-run fourth inning as the Spartans routed Ka Makani in a game shortened by the mercy rule.

Maryknoll's Gavin Oyadomari threw 59 pitches -- with three strikeouts -- holding Hawaii Prep to six hits.