StarBulletin.com

Improbable finish for Mid-Pac


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POSTED: Friday, April 17, 2009

The Mid-Pacific Institute baseball team had but a small glimmer of hope as the sun started to set on its Interscholastic League of Honolulu showdown with second-ranked Kamehameha yesterday.

Trailing by four, the fourth-ranked Owls were barely clinging to life in the final inning as Kamehameha looked to push across even more runs, adding to what appeared to be an embarrassing senior night for host MPI. But then right fielder Nick Tasaka threw out Kamehameha's leadoff batter, Jacob Meyer, at the plate to end the top of the seventh inning.

And then, with one out, Mid-Pac's batters strung together three singles and scored two runs to narrow the lead. And then Wade Tamura singled to center to extend the inning. And then Ryan Muraoka doubled home two runs to tie the game with a smash to center. And then senior Michael Arakaki ended it with a solid single to left, scoring Muraoka to complete the improbable comeback with a stunning 10-9 victory.

It was a remarkable finish for the Owls seniors in their last home game.

“;I'm just like, 'Wow ... I don't know what to say,”; said Muraoka, who admitted to still being nervous even after the winning run scored. “;It was a great game. We just believed.”;

It was a surprise ending for Kamehameha (11-2), which had complete control for 6 innings. The Warriors took advantage of Mid-Pacific's early struggles from the mound and scored eight runs in the first five innings.

But Kamehameha helped Mid-Pac's cause by not making the little plays. The Warriors stranded at least one runner every inning and eight runners total.

“;You've just got to give them credit,”; said Kamehameha coach Vern Ramie. “;They put the ball in play, got some key hits.”;

 

                                                                                                                                                           
Kamehameha (11-1)01304109121
Mid-Pacific (10-3)001040510131

Bryson Kenolio, Chris Pascual (5), Alika Pruett (7) and Keanu Carmichael. Robert Dittrick, Dylan Tawata (3), Gavin Kinoshita (5) and Dane Fujinaka. W—Kinoshita. L—Pruett.
Leading hitters—Kamehameha: Piikea Kitamura 1-2, run; Kewby Meyer 1-3, 2 runs, RBI; Carmichael 2-2, HR, 2 RBIs; Arlie Johnson 1-2, run, 2b, 3 RBIs; Josh Wong 2-4, 2b, 2 RBIs. Mid-Pacific: Todd Nagamine 2-3, 2b, run; Justin Protacio 2-3, 2b, 2 runs, RBI; Matthew McDaniel 2-3, 3b, 3 runs; Derek Tan 3-4 run, 3 RBIs; Wade Tamaru 2-4, run, RBI; Ryan Muraoka 1-4, 2b, 2 RBIs.

 

No. 3 'Iolani 9, Maryknoll 0

Breland Almadova hit a solo home run to left field and combined with three teammates on a two-hit shutout as the Raiders blanked the Spartans.

 

At Ala Wai Community Park

                                                                                                                                                           
Maryknoll (2-9)0000000021
'Iolani (11-1)600120X9121

Kyle Hirata, Matt Hara (2), Tyler Todd (4), Craig Shoji (5) and David HIrata. Breland Almadova, Kela Marciel (4), Curtis Martin (6), Tyson Tsutumi (7) and Grant Iwamoto, Kurt Yoshikawa (4). W—Almadova. L—Hirata.
Leading hitters—'Iol: Almadova 2-4, HR, 2 RBIs, run; Buen Hatanaka 2-2, run; JR Bunda 2-3, 3b, RBI, 2 runs; Trent Miyashiro 2 RBIs.

 

OIA

Kaiser 7, Kalani 6

Landan Tamanaha walked to drive in the game-winning run as the Cougars rallied with three runs in the seventh to beat the Falcons.

 

                                                                                                                                                           
Kalani (7-4)4002000691
Kaiser (11-1)3000013761

Dylan Von Wiegandt, Dillon Matsuda (6) and Kial Ono. Zachary Wong, Kekoa Torres (4) and Bryce Marcouiller. W—Torres. L—Matsuda.
Leading hitters—Kal: Jake Massey 3-4; Wataru Noguchi 2-4 3b, RBI; Jordan Wong 3-4 2B. Kais: Jaymes Kawashima 2-4 2b; Wong 2-4, HR, 2 RBIs; Shane Tsutahara 2b, 2 RBIs.