[ HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL (ILH) ]
RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Kamehameha's Kanekoa Texeira threw to first to put out Iolani's Galen Komo in the first inning yesterday.
Kaluhiokalani leads
Kamehameha
The needs of the many, an otherworldly guru once said, outweigh the needs of the few.
Fortunately, for the Kamehameha Warriors, the many are more than happy to contribute. Keola Kaluhiokalani went 3-for-4 with four RBIs, including a two-run home run, and a committee of hurlers scattered four hits as the Warriors defeated Iolani 9-5 yesterday afternoon.
Kanekoa Texeira allowed two hits in four innings, permitting one run, for the win. The right-hander fanned two and walked five. Brandon Ogimi, Koa Kaleo and David Parrow saw action in relief.
Joining in Kamehameha's hit parade were Travis Young (2-for-4, two runs), Dayne Ogawa (2-for-3, two runs) and Nick Freitas (2-for-4, one run).
"We're playing a little better with every game. Kaneoka pitched well," said Kamehameha coach Vern Ramie, who replaced his starter at the 70-pitch count.
An exuberant crowd at Iolani's field saw the Warriors score five runs in the fourth and fifth innings to break open a close game. Kamehameha (5-1) retained its share of first place in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu. Mid-Pacific, a 7-1 winner over Maryknoll, and Saint Louis, which stopped Damien 12-2, also share first place.
The Warriors have little time to celebrate. Up next are Saint Louis (Tuesday), Punahou (Thursday), Mid-Pacific (Saturday) and Iolani again the following Tuesday.
"We were fortunate to get by today," Ramie said. "We have a tough road ahead."
Kamehameha amassed 10 hits. "We've been hitting better each time out. Keola has been in and out of the lineup, but the last couple of games, he's helped solidify our lineup. And having Nick back helps us play with a lot more confidence," Ramie added.
Iolani slipped to 1-5 despite a gritty effort by starting pitcher B.J. Takushi, who surrendered six runs -- four earned -- on six hits through four innings.
"They're a good team. They have big hitters and good pitching," Iolani catcher Bert Mitsunaga said. "They bunch their hits good."
Kaluhiokalani socked a two-run single off sidewinder Trent Muraoka in the top of the seventh, driving home Young and Ogawa. That gave the Warriors an almost-safe 9-2 lead.
Kamehameha's third pitcher, Kaleo, replaced Ogimi in the bottom of the seventh. An error by Chee at third, followed by consecutive hit batters -- with a pair of wild pitches along the way -- allowed Teramoto to score easily, cutting the lead to 9-3.
Travis Nishioka's single off Kamehameha's fourth pitcher, Parrow, brought in Wally Marciel, cutting the margin to five runs. Galen Komo scored on a groundout to third by Cory Kim, and Parrow ended the game with a strikeout of pinch-hitter Brett Hasegawa.
The Raiders played under somber circumstances. "It's a tough time for them. They've got Travis Mitsuda's funeral today," said Ramie, who took his team to the service at Iolani's chapel after the game.
Mitsuda, a 2001 graduate of Iolani, was a catcher for the Raiders. "It's quite a loss for us in the ILH. He was a quality kid and fantastic competitor," Ramie said.
Mitsunaga, Iolani's team captain, remembers Mitsuda well. "He was my hero. He played for the Manoa Dodgers and I was two years behind him," he said.
The Raiders, Mitsunaga said, warm up with shirts that bear Mitsuda's No. 9. They keep his number hung up in the middle of the dugout during games.
"He was the man. He used to hit all the bombs and throw hard," Mitsunaga said. "I wanted to be like him."
At Iolani
Kamehameha (5-1) 100 231 2 -- 9 11 1 Iolani (1-5) 010 010 3 -- 5 4 2 Kaneoka Texeira, Brandon Ogimi (5), Koa Kaleo (7), David Parrow (7) and Stuart Kam. B.J. Takushi, Jon Sakoda (6), Trent Muraoka (7) and Bert Mitsunaga.
Leading hitters--Kam: Keola Kaluhiokalani 3-4, 2-run HR, 2b, 4 RBIs; Nick Freitas 2-4, 2 RBIs; Travis Young 2-4. Iol: Jared Nakama 2-4; Travis Nishioka 2-3.
Saint Louis 12, Damien 2: The Crusaders scored eight runs in the first inning to cruise past the Monarchs.
Pitcher Edwin Apostle gave up just five hits and two runs to Damien. The game was called after the top of the fifth because of the 10-run rule.
At Ala Wai
Damien (2-3) 200 00 -- 2 5 4 Saint Louis (5-1) 802 2x -- 12 11 0 Duncan Ebert, Chris Stephenson (1) and Brandon Baguio, Nick Zieser. Edwin Apostle and Jowen Murray-Thornton. W--Apostle. L--Ebert.
Leading hitters--Dam: Kaimana Balanon 2 RBIs. StL: Sheldon Santiago 2b, 2 RBIs; Cody Barrett 2-3, 2 RBIs; Marc Nobriga 2 RBIs.
Mid-Pacific 7, Maryknoll 0: Chris Goya drove in three runs and Harrison Kuroda drove in two as the Owls routed the winless Spartans.
Mid-Pacific scored four runs in the bottom of the third. Ryan Matsumoto drove in Maryknoll's lone run.
At Mid-Pacific
Maryknoll (0-6) 000 010 0 -- 1 7 0 Mid-Pacific (5-1) 124 000 x -- 7 10 0 Ryan Matsumoto, Chris Lum (3), Ryan DeMello (3) and Brian Tabata. Chris Freshour, Jared Hara (5) and Ivan Kabei, Kip Masuda. W--Freshour. L--Matsumoto.
Leading hitters--Mryk: Matsumoto 2-3, RBI; Robert Kuroda 2-3. MPI: Chris Goya 2-4, 3 RBIs; Harrison Kuroda, 2-3, 2 RBIs, 2b; Ryan Asato 2-3. 2b.
Punahou 9, Pac-Five 0: Landon Nakata drove in three runs and had two triples as the Buffanblu defeated the Wolfpack.
Nakata, Jared Pate and Kasey Ko combined for a three-hitter. Ryan Taketa had two of the Wolfpack's three hits.
At Ala Wai
Punahou (4-2) 001 070 1 -- 9 11 3 Pac-Five (1-4) 000 000 0 -- 0 3 4 Jared Pate, Kasey Ko (6), Landon Nakata (7) and Robert Kurisu, Michael Kurisu. Owen Simmons, Tyler Inouye (5), Kendall Tanigawa (6) and Aaron Chilcote, Shane Osaki. W--Pate. L--Simmons.
Leading hitters--Pun: Nakata 2-4, 2 3bs, 3 RBIs; Michael Kim 2-3, 2 RBIs; Justin Ariki 2-2, RBI, 2b. Pac: Ryan Taketa 2-3.
