Wednesday, March 21, 2001
Owls bash The Mid-Pacific Institute baseball team wasn't in a mood for waiting, as they scored early and often in a 13-3 victory over Punahou.
Buffanblu to remain
undefeated
Mercy rule ends game and gives
MPI a 13-3 win and a 2-0
record in league playBy Jason Kaneshiro
Star-BulletinThe game was shortened to five innings due to the 10-run rule. Mid-Pacific improved to 2-0 in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu, while Punahou fell to 1-1.
Mid-Pacific recorded five extra-base hits in the contest, four coming on the first pitch of Owl at-bats.
The Owls' aggression led to a five-run outburst in the bottom of the first inning, highlighted by Isaac Omura's three-run home run to center field on the first offering he saw from Punahou starting pitcher Peter Phillips.
RAMMING IT IN THE PAINT
"I was looking for something in my zone and I got a fastball," Omura said.The Owls had 10 hits, as all but one starter crossed the plate. Omura, Kevin Kahn, Kyle Yanabu and Marc Inamasu all drove in multiple runs for MPI.
"Mid-Pac's a quality program, great team, well-coached," said Punahou coach Eric Kadooka. "They just hit the ball and we didn't. We tip our hats to them."
Mid-Pacific starting pitcher Ricky Bauer picked up the win despite being weakened by an illness. Phillips took the loss for Punahou.
While Mid-Pacific's hitters enjoyed a banner day, the game's key blow was delivered by pitcher Bobby Kumasaki. With MPI leading, 5-1, and the bases loaded with two outs in the top of the fourth inning, Mid-Pacific coach Dunn Muramaru called on the left-handed breaking-ball specialist to face Punahou slugger Reid Matsushima. Kumasaki had just enough to get out of the jam as Matsushima hit a deep fly ball that was caught just short of the right-field fence.
"That was the ballgame right there," Muramaru said.
The Owls promptly extended their lead as Kevin Kahn hit a two-run homer to spark a six-run rally in the bottom of the inning.
Kyle Seminara provided Punahou's highlight of the day by launching a two-run homer in the top of the fifth inning.
Mid-Pacific hosts Maryknoll tomorrow, while Punahou will face Damien at Joey Desa Field.
"(The win over Punahou) gives us some confidence, because we struggled in the preseason," Omura said.
>> Pac-Five 7, Maryknoll 1:
Jeff Seranaka tossed a complete game and Cory Shinagawa hit a home run as the Wolfpack beat the Spartans at Ala Wai Field. Pac-Five improved to 1-1, while Maryknoll fell to 0-2.
>> Iolani 5, Damien 4:
The host Raiders edged the Monarchs to join Mid-Pacific as one of just two undefeated teams in the ILH. Damien fell to 1-1.
>> St. Louis 6, Kamehameha 5:
The Crusaders held off the Warriors at Ala Wai Field to raise their record to 1-1. Kamehameha, the defending league champion, fell to 0-2.Brandon League pitched two innings of relief to pick up the win. Grandon Costa drove in the winning run in the bottom of the sixth inning.
OIA WEST BASKETBALL
Rowena Sarandi scored eight points to lead Campbell to a 32-18 win over Waipahu in an OIA West girls' basketball game last night at the Sabers' gym.Rennette Fajardo chipped in with five points, including a 3-pointer for Campbell. Waipahu was led by Jenna Morales' nine-point performance.
In a junior varsity game, Campbell beat Waipahu, 34-17.
No other scores were reported.
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