StarBulletin.com

Saint Louis secures ILH title


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POSTED: Friday, April 30, 2010

For half the season, the Saint Louis Crusaders played great baseball without the burdens of pressure and expectations.

Now, they've learned to win in the face of all headwinds. Behind a three-hitter from ace Christopher Chung, Saint Louis rallied past Mid-Pacific 6-2 to win the Interscholastic League of Honolulu baseball crown at the Owls' Damon Field.

The Crusaders (26-4, 16-2 ILH) were stifled by MPI pitcher Lawrence Chew for most of five innings before Moses Samia belted a go-ahead, three-run homer in the sixth. Jordan Fukumoto added a two-run shot in the seventh for insurance.

“;We just knew this game meant a lot to our alumni and our parents,”; Samia said. “;We gave them what they wanted.”;

Chung was often brilliant, mixing a hard curve, sharp splitter and well-placed four- and two-seam fastballs on point all afternoon. He struck out five and walked just one, relishing the opportunity to bring a title to Kalaepohaku.

“;1989 was the last time Saint Louis won the (ILH) championship,”; said Chung, who was a sophomore two springs ago when the Crusaders lost to Punahou in the league and state-tourney finals. “;I feel really confident in this team. As long as we play the way we can, we have a chance at winning.”;

A two-out single by Tyler Nishimoto, aided by a bad hop that nearly struck Saint Louis shortstop Kini Enos in the head, gave MPI a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Marcus Doi scored from third and courtesy runner Jordan Doi scored from second, just beating the throw from center fielder Kaeo Aliviado.

The visitors scored in the top of the third on Kyle Watase's double to left-center, plating Jordan Kahalekai-Bermoy from second.

Crusader bats were quiet, however, as Chew found his groove. The junior southpaw struck out four in a row at one point, but Saint Louis reached him in the sixth.

With Derek Nakasato and Aliviado on base, Samia took an 0-1 pitch deep over the center-field fence to give Saint Louis a 4-2 advantage.

“;I knew he was going to throw something hard. It was kind of a cutter. I kept my hands inside the ball and I just drove,”; said Samia, who will play football at UH this fall.

Fukumoto's shot to left in the seventh was a relief.

“;Jordan's home run was huge. That gave us a whole bunch of breathing room,”; Gusman said. “;It takes all the pressure off.”;

Chew's two mistake pitches weren't, he said, the result of fatigue.

“;I wasn't tired. It was just bad pitches,”; he said.

MPI coach Dunn Muramaru agreed.

“;He was all right,”; he said. “;Fukumoto's hitting .580. We got hit by their best guys.”;

Saint Louis and Mid-Pacific also played in a tiebreaker after the first round, a game won by the Crusaders at Ala Wai Community Park that gave them an automatic state berth.

 

                                                                                                                                                                           
Saint Louis 001 0032682
Mid-Pacific020 0000230

Chris Chung and Moses Samia. Lawrence Chew, Marcus Doi (7) and Dane Fujinaka. W—Chung. L—Chew.
Leading hitters—StL: Jordan Fukumoto 1-3, HR, 2 RBIs; Derek Nakasato 2-4, run; Samia 1-2, HR, 3 RBIs; Jordan Khalekai 1-3, run; Kini Enos 2-3, 2b, run; Kyle Watase 1-1, 2b, RBI. MPI: Doi 1-2, run; Fujinaka 1-2, run; Nishimoto 1-3, 2 RBIs.

 

Punahou 5, Kamehameha 2

                                                                                                                                                                           
Punahou100 0004562
Kamehameha000 2000230

Zachery Muenster, David Eldredge (5) and Reece Toma. Jordyn Ah Chong, Keanu Sato (7) and Moku Kukonu. W—Eldredge. L—Ah Chong.
Leading hitters—Pun: Michael Suiter 2-2, run; Kainoa Crowell 1-3, run; Ryan Yamane 2-4, 2 RBIs. Kam: TC Campbell 1-2, run, 2b; Preston Hao 1-3, RBI.

 

Softball

OIA RED PLAYOFFS
Mililani 4, Kailua 0

                                                                                                                                                                           
Kailua 000 0000032
Mililani200 002X490

Jaelleen Johnson and Sharla-Lynn Kumai-Farell. Alyssa Maddison and Rebecca Lee. W—Maddison. L—Johnson.
Leading hitters—Kail: none. Mil: Kristi Oshiro 2b, 2 runs; Lee 2-4, 2b, 2 RBIs.

 

Campbell 12, Moanalua 1, 5 innings

                                                                                                                                                           
Moanalua000 10130
Campbell104 5212130

Vvilla, Sputtman (3) and D. Sugai. Katie Manuma and Summer Palipti. W—Manuma. L—Vvilla.
Leading hitters—Moan: J. Tabangay 1-1 RBI. Camp: Gerika Pantohan 2-3; Sharae Esprecion 2-4, 2b, RBI; Nicole Arata 2-3, 3 runs; Daylene Antonio 3-3, 3 runs, 2 RBI; Taylor Rosa Ramon 1-1, RBI; Brianne Silva Kapihe 2-3, 2 RBIs; Palipti 2 RBIs; Kylie Tavai 1-2, RBI.

 

Castle 2, Waianae 1

                                                                                                                                                                           
Waianae000 1000134
Castle000 0101240

Wehi Keopuhiwa, Chaeani Manuel (7) and Kristi Keomalu. Maycee Moe and Alyssa Cipriano. W-Moe. L—Keopuhiwa.
Leading hitters—Wain: none. Cast: Moe 2b.

 

OIA WHITE
Aiea 3, Kaiser 1

                                                                                                                                                                           
Kaiser000 0010150
Aiea000 003X342

Sheydon Apela-Moku and Sadie Karratti-Abordo. Joe-Ann Rapoza and Ashlei Liilii. W—Rapoza. L—Apela-Moku.
Leading hitters—Kais: none. Aiea: Temu Lautalo 1-3, 3b, 2 RBIs; Macy Daron 1-2, 2b, RBI.

 

Kalaheo 12, Radford 6

                                                                                                                                                                           
Radford000 2022663
Kalaheo120 072X12147

Jackie Santoyo, Erin Laurent (3) and Iona Peterson. Sarah Fitzherbert and Tiffany Harada, Amanda Pavey (6). W—Fitzherbert. L—Santoyo.
Leading hitters—Rad: Laurent 2-4; Tuiai Elesara 2-4, 2b. Kalh: Fitzherbert 3-5, 3b; Teone Farley-Mohoe 3-4; Theresa Capllonch 3-5; Noelani Maglinti HR; 2 RBI; Harada 2b.