StarBulletin.com

Kamehameha the king of ILH tournament


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POSTED: Saturday, May 02, 2009

Kamehameha senior Alika Pruett tossed his second complete game in six days as the visiting Warriors came back to defeat 'Iolani 6-4 yesterday evening to claim the Interscholastic League of Honolulu's postseason tournament championship.

By winning the tournament, the Warriors, ranked No. 2 in the Star-Bulletin Baseball Top 10 statewide poll of coaches and media, earned their way into today's ILH overall championship playoff game against the Raiders scheduled for 2 p.m. at Ala Wai Community Park. Third-ranked 'Iolani, the home team today by virtue of a coin toss, earned a spot by winning the ILH regular-season title with a 7-0 tie-breaking victory over Kamehameha on April 20.

“;It's a big game”; said Warriors coach Vern Ramie of today's showdown, the third game in as many days against 'Iolani. “;I'm proud of the kids. They came back, and wanted to play again tomorrow. We did a lot of good things today.”;

Trailing 4-3 entering the sixth inning, Kewby Meyer smashed a home run over the fence in right field to tie the game. With two out in the inning and runners on first and second base, pinch hitter Kash Kalohelani singled in Arlie Johnson to put the Warriors up for good.

After adding an insurance run in the seventh, Pruett got Breland Almadova to fly out to end the game.

Today's matchup marks 'Iolani's fifth game in six days, and sixth contest in eight days.

“;I don't think we could have played more games,”; Raiders coach Dean Yonamine said. “;(Losing today) was exactly the scenario needed to play the most games possible.

“;Alika's tough, he's a good pitcher. Especially when he can throw that breaking ball for a strike, which he did today. That's when he's at his toughest.”;

Kamehameha (17-4) had a chance to wrap up the tournament championship on Thursday, but fell to 'Iolani, 10-3, to set up yesterday's game. Both squads have clinched berths into next week's HHSAA state baseball championship tournament, but today's game is crucial, as the winner receives the league's seed in the tourney, and the first-round bye that comes with it.

“;I think the top seed is important, but we've got enough arms”; to last through the four-day state tournament if necessary, Yonamine said. “;I think the ILH (season), and especially this tournament, has prepared us pretty well for what's going to come up.”;

'Iolani (18-4) fell behind 1-0 as Kalei Hanawahine launched a solo home run off starter Sheldon Lee as the game's second batter. Kamehameha increased its lead to 3-0 in the third frame, as Meyer drove in a run on a sharp single to right, and Keanu Carmichael plated another with a sacrifice fly.

But the Raiders battled back to take the lead in the fourth as Almadova broke up Pruett's no-hitter with a single up the middle.

 

                                                                                                                                                           
Kamehameha (17-4)10200216111
'Iolani (18-4)0004000452

Alika Pruett and Keanu Carmichael. Sheldon Lee, Breland Almadova (6) and Grant Iwamoto. W—Pruett. L—Lee.
Leading hitters—Kam: Kalei Hanawahine 2-4, home run, RBI, 3 runs; Kewby Meyer 3-4, home run, 3 RBIs; Carmichael RBI; Josh Wong RBI. Iol: Almadova 2-4; JR Bunda RBI; Reyn Nagamine 2 RBIs; Iwamoto RBI.