Mid-Pacific executes another comeback win at home
POSTED: Sunday, April 11, 2010
Maybe these young Owls just aren't old enough to know when to give up.
Mid-Pacific rallied for four runs in the bottom of the seventh, including a controversial game-tying three-run clout by Dane Fujinaka, to edge Kamehameha 8-7 yesterday before 200 astounded fans at Damon Field.
Nikolas Alarcio was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in the winning run for the Owls in yet another dramatic comeback win on their home field. This time, they rallied from a 7-3 deficit for the win.
“;Something always happens here,”; MPI coach Dunn Muramaru said.
The wild win kept third-ranked MPI (16-6 overall, 1-1 second round) in the thick of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu title race.
Marcus Doi, pitching in relief, didn't allow a run in 2 2/3 innings for the win. The freshman also batted 3-for-4 and scored twice.
“;Our team fights really hard and we found a way to come back,”; he said.
MPI's Kelly Meguro didn't factor in the decision, but came through after starter Kurt Okita was chased in the first inning. Meguro went 3 1/3 innings and allowed three runs, including only one earned, as the Owls committed seven errors.
Kamehameha (15-12-1 overall) dropped to 0-1 in the second round. Saint Louis, the first-round champion, has already secured one of the league's three state-tourney berths.
Ryan Muraoka led off the seventh inning by check-swinging at a pitch for an apparent third strike. He raced to first as the ball skidded away to the backstop, and Muraoka beat the throw from catcher Moku Kekuno. The home plate umpire ruled the pitch a ball, but after Muramaru asked him to check with the base umpire, the play was ruled a strikeout, and Muraoka was on base.
After a single by Marcus Doi, Fujinaka belted a high shot to left off Holt, clearing the 320-foot sign for a three-run home run. However, before Fujinaka stepped on home plate, he removed his helmet—an infraction according to national federation rules.
After a discussion of about 10 minutes, Fujinaka was ejected from the game, but the home run stood and the game was tied at 7.
The national federation rule book states, in Rule 1-5, Article 1, that the removal of the helmet while running the bases calls for a warning, not an automatic ejection.
“;I got caught up in the moment. That's the first time I've done something clutch,”; Fujinaka said. “;I was worried the run wouldn't count.”;
Fujinaka's run did count, though, and Holt was relieved by Bryson Kenolio.
Moving from left field to the mound, he walked Jordan Obata. After Tyler Nishimoto's sacrifice bunt advanced Obata to second, Cy Higashi grounded to second for the second out.
Kenolio then intentionally walked Tyler Yoshizawa and Justin Protacio to load the bases. After taking a ball, Alarcio was hit by Kenolio's fastball on his back, just below the armpit, and Obata scored from third.
“;The ball came and I took it,”; the sophomore said. “;Then I heard everybody cheering.”;
Just like that, a seemingly secure Kamehameha win dissolved into another improbable Mid-Pacific victory.
Obata went 3-for-3, including a solo shot to right, before scoring the winning run.
It was enough stress for veteran coach Muramaru.
“;As soon as he took off the helmet ... why? Act like you did it before,”; he said. “;The rule says it's supposed to be a warning, but if they would've taken the run (off the scoreboard), we would've deserved it.”;
Fujinaka was relieved.
“;I definitely learned from that,”; the junior catcher said after getting a stern lecture from his coach.
| Kamehameha | 402 | 010 | 0 | — | 7 | 7 | 2 |
| Mid-Pacific | 010 | 210 | 4 | — | 8 | 10 | 7 |
Jordyn Ah Chong, Harley Holt (4), Bryson Kenolio (7) and Moku Kekuno. Kurt Okita, Kelly Meguro (1), Marcus Doi (5) and Dane Fujinaka. W—M. Doi. L—Kenolio.
Leading hitters—Kam: Kenolio 2-3, HR, 2b, 3 runs, RBI. MPI: M. Doi 3-4, 2 runs; Jordan Obata 3-3, HR, 2 runs, RBI.
ILH
'Iolani 15, Pac West 2
| 'Iolani | 125 | 205 | — | 15 | 14 | 0 |
| Pac-West | 001 | 001 | — | 2 | 5 | 2 |
Carlos Rodriguez, Troy Odo (4) and Tiras Koon and Kurt Yoshikawa (3). Kellen Abe, Christian Nelligan (3), Alec Kimura (4) and Frank Perkins and Shayne Nakagawa (3). W—Rodriguez. L—Abe. S—Odo.
Leading hitters—Iol: Jarret Arakawa 2-2, 2b, 2 RBI; Corey Gokan 2-4, 2b, 2 runs; Kevin Barayuga 2-2, RBI; Sean Nada 2-2, 3b, 3 runs. PW: Evan Fujimoto 2-2, RBI; Colin Schmidt 1-3, RBI.
OIA RED EAST
Moanalua 3, Kaiser 0
| Kaiser | 000 | 000 | 0 | — | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Moanalua | 110 | 100 | 0 | — | 3 | 8 | 0 |
Kekoa Torres, Shane Tstuhara (6) and Makana Lyman. Todd Takabuki, Kamalu Kamoku (5), Jacob Fukuyama (7) and Brandon Kong. W—Takabuki L—Torres. S—Fukuyama
Leading hitters—Kais: Landon Nakai 2b. Moan: Timothy Arakawa 2-3, HR; Takabuki 2-3, 2 2bs, RBI; Jordan Deponte 2-3.
Kalani 1, Kalaheo 0
| Kalani | 000 | 001 | 0 | — | 1 | 4 | 1 |
| Kalaheo | 000 | 000 | 0 | — | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Bricen Shiraishi and Kial Odo. Chris Palmer and Justin Pagan. W—Shiraishi. L—Palmer
Leading hitters—Kaln: Matthew Murakami 2-3.
OIA RED WEST
Leilehua 4, Kapolei 3
| Kapolei | 000 | 210 | 0 | — | 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Leilehua | 021 | 010 | X | — | 4 | 11 | 3 |
Michael Filio and Brandon Damas, William Leskovec (6). Larry Paas, Kenan Sadanaga (6) and Aaron Higa. W—Larry Paas. L—Filio. S—Sadanaga.
Leading hitters—Kapo: Christian Estabillo 2-3, 3b, 2 RBIs; Trey Kamachi 2b, RBI. Lei: Sadanaga 2-3; Jeremy Sugitan 2-4; Alfred Paas 2-3, 2 2bs, RBI; Lopaka Chandler 2-3, RBI; Ryan Gomes 2-3, 2b, RBI; Cyrus Ah Quin, RBI.
Mililani 16, Aiea 5
| Aiea | 201 | 02 | — | 5 | 6 | 0 | |
| Mililani | 304 | 9X | — | 16 | 14 | 1 |
Wong, Ling (3), Davenport (4) and Woodin. Cody Mark, Tommy Moreno (4) and Jacob Matsukawa, Jensen Puahi-Viena. W—Mark. L—Wong.
Leading hitters—Aiea: Aquino 1-2, 3 runs; Fuellas 1-2, 2 runs; AhSing-Kaahu 2-2, 2b, 4 RBIs. Mil: Chad Bolibol 4-4, 2 2bs, 4 runs, 3 RBIs; Andrew Benitez 3-4, 2b, 2 runs, RBI; Kacey Miyasato 1-2, 2b, 2 runs, RBI; Tanner Nakasone 2-2, 2 runs, RBI; Jared Ichimura 2b, run, 4 RBIs.
OIA WHITE
Radford 5, Waipahu 4
| Waipahu | 110 | 000 | 2 | — | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Radford | 012 | 100 | 1 | — | 5 | 3 | 5 |
Cheyne Estanique, Jarinn Abreu (3) and Aldrin Padilla. Dustin Phelps, Jobi Fontenot (4) And Troy Evans. W—Fontenot. L—Abreu
Leading hitters—Waip: Drake Yoshioka 2-4, 2b; Sam Chee 2b. Rad: Joseph Masnas 2-2, 2 runs.
Softball
OIA RED EAST
Roosevelt 6, Kahuku 1
| Kahuku | 000 | 001 | 0 | — | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| Roosevelt | 400 | 002 | x | — | 6 | 9 | 2 |
Brooke Beatty and Qiana Heffernim. Lianna Bajarin and Lindsey Takekawa. W—Bajarin. L—Beatty.
Leading hitters—Kah: Kylie Decion 2b. Roos: Kamalei Pitoy 2-4, Bajarin 2-2, Cherisse Tanabe HR.
OIA RED WEST
Mililani 11, Kapolei 1, 5 innings
| Kapolei | 001 | 00 | — | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| Mililani | 103 | 61 | — | 11 | 8 | 1 |
Tenisha Aniya, Kahana Higa (5) Kaity Wills. Alyssia Maddison and Rebecca Lee. W—Maddison. L—Aniya.
Leading hitters—Mil: Lee 3-3, 3b, 3 RBIs; Kacie Oshiro 2-3.
Campbell 8, Leilehua 1
| Campbell | 501 | 010 | 0 | — | 8 | 10 | 1 |
| Leilehua | 000 | 010 | 0 | — | 1 | 5 | 3 |
Katie Manuma and Daylene Antonio. Kaylen Ynigues, Megan Tupinio (2) and Jasmine Villegas. W—Manuma. L—Ynigues.
Leading hitters—Camp: Gerika Pantohan 2-3; Collette Black 2-3, 2 runs. Lei: Camey Marusawa 2-3; Tupinio 2-3, 2b.
OIA WHITE
Kaiser 15, McKinley 3
| McKinley | 210 | 00 | — | 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Kaiser | 145 | 32 | — | 15 | 6 | 3 |
Aiga Malagamaalii and Yoon Ryu. Shaydon Apela-Moku and Sadie Karratti-Abordo. W—Apela-Moku. L—Malagamaalii.
Leading hitters—McK: Amanda Sakagawa 2-3; Kylie Sato 2-3, 2b. Kais: Mele Adams 2-4; Alissa Soong, 2b.
Kalaheo 12, Anuenue 2
| Anuenue | 020 | 00 | — | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Kalaheo | 530 | 04 | — | 12 | 10 | 1 |
N. Kamanoi and W. Ganeau. Teone Farley-Mahoe, Sarah Fitzherbert (4) and Amanda Pavey. W—Mahoe. L—Kamanoi.
Leading hitters—Anue: K. Kim 2-3, 2b. Kalh: Noelani Maglinti 3-4, 2 2bs; Theresa Capilonch 1-4, 3b; Erica Segura 1-4, 3b; Anica Dement 2-2.
ILH
'Iolani 7, Kamehameha 1
| Kamehameha | 001 | 000 | 0 | — | 1 | 6 | 1 |
| 'Iolani | 001 | 006 | X | — | 7 | 9 | 1 |
Jamie Millwood and Marche Llanos. Nalani Taniguchi and Kryn Masutani. W—Taniguchi. L—Millwood.
Leading hitters—Kam: Lauren Glover-Alejado 2-3, 3b; Keanu Au 2b. Iol: Kimberlee Souza 3b, HR, 5 RBIs; Amanda McCaskill 2-3; Ka'ili Taniguchi 2-4, 2 runs; Kaitlyn Shikada 3b; Masutani 2b.
Mid-Pacific 11, Pac Five 1
| Pac Five | 000 | 10 | — | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Mid-Pacific | 301 | 25 | — | 11 | 15 | 0 |
Sheridon Mahelona, Cassie Koja (2) and Koren Nakamura. Keiki Carlos and Kaydi Kochi. W—Carlos. L—Mahelona.
Leading hitters—MPI: Courtney Niino 3-3, 2 RBI, run; Tori Hamura 2-2, RBI, 2 runs; Kristin Yama 3-4, 3 RBI, run; Corrie Murashige 2-4, RBI, run; Carlos 2b, 2 RBI.
