CRAIG KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM The Aloha Stars' Kyle Fujimoto of Punahou hustled around Hawaiian Stars catcher Preston Pires to score in the top of fourth.

Aloha Stars crank
it up in 11th

Masuda and Downing come through with
home runs to give the team a 12-11 victory

In the end, one team's fortunes rested with a first baseman who hadn't pitched since Little League.

That team, the Hawaiian Stars, lost on the gamble.

Kip Masuda and Kaohi Downing clubbed home runs in the top of the 11th inning to give the Aloha Stars enough cushion for a 12-11 win over the Hawaiian Stars in the seventh annual Sportstan Sugar Mill Classic yesterday at Hans L'Orange Park.

Masuda lofted a solo homer over the left-field fence more than 325 feet away. Downing then added a shot near the line and over the fence, bringing in Ryson Mauricio, who had singled.

The three-run burst by the Aloha Stars capped a 3-hour, 45-minute battle that featured 28 base hits and 22 pitchers. The difference came down to 12 runners left on base by the Hawaiian Stars, comprised of Oahu Interscholastic Association players and a few Neighbor Islanders.

The final factor came down to the Hawaiian Stars' supply of pitching arms. Though both teams agreed to play extra innings, the Hawaiian Stars were down to Thomas Yamasaki, who had not pitched in a game since way back when.

"Coach asked if I wanted to pitch, but I said I don't know if you want me to pitch," the Pearl City senior said.

Yamasaki had decent movement on his breaking ball, retiring Kamehameha slugger Nick Freitas -- who also surprised a crowd of about 600 by pitching a perfect 10th inning for the Aloha Stars.

Yamasaki actually struck out the final two batters he faced -- Landon Nakata and Mark Factora -- but didn't have much against Masuda and Downing.

"I was just trying to throw the ball over the middle," he said.

CRAIG KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM The Aloha Stars' Kyle Fujimoto of Punahou tossed his bat after earning a walk in top of fourth inning.

For Masuda, whose Mid-Pacific team wasn't able to reach the state tournament, it was a fitting way to close out his prep career. He went 2-for-4, stroking a two-run single in the fifth inning. Homering off Yamasaki will give the two cousins plenty to chat about for quite some time.

"I just got a little lucky. I wanted a single because in my previous at-bats, I was popping up," he said.

Though related, the two never spent much time together until the past year.

"I really got to know him through all our workouts with Eric Tokunaga," Masuda said of the scout and organizer of the Sugar Mill Classic. "If I had to pitch to him, he'd probably do the same to me. He's a big guy."

The Aloha Stars, comprised of Interscholastic League of Honolulu and Neighbor Island players, led 12-9 entering the bottom of the 11th frame. Punahou infielder Landon Nakata finished his day on the mound, allowing two runs before retiring the side to collect the win.

Waianae's Clayton Uyechi went 2-for-2, including a bases-loaded triple in the second inning, to lead the Hawaiian Stars. Kailua's Tyler Harrison went 2-for-3, and Roosevelt's Kevin Fujii was 2-for-2 with an RBI.

Downing's day became unique after extra innings began. He pitched in one game for Punahou as a junior and did not throw a single pitch as a senior.

"I don't need to pitch. I'm kinda junk anyway," said Downing, who will play at Point Loma next season.

Still, he allowed just one run and struck out one in the 10th, shortly before socking his homer in the 11th.

"I didn't really want to go extra innings," Aloha coach Collin Tanabe said. "Look how burnt I got. But it's more exposure and playing time for everybody."

Tanabe, who played at Roosevelt and UH before a stint with the Milwaukee Brewers, envied the group of 50 seniors.

"When we were growing up, we never had this," he said. "For them, it's an honor to come out here."

Kirby Yates, Kauai's heralded senior, started for the Hawaiian Stars and allowed just one hit in one inning. He also slapped an opposite-field double to drive in two runs.

"It was fun. It was good to see everybody, your friends from around the state," said Yates, who plans to play at Yavapai Junior College.

The event included a wealth of college-bound players, including Freitas (Miami), pitcher David Parrow of Kamehameha (USC), Tony Aquino of Mililani (UNLV) and Kasey Ko of Punahou (BYU). Due to limitations, a number of quality players weren't included in the game. Last year, 66 players participated, but there wasn't enough time and at-bats to accommodate all.

At Hans L'Orange Field

Aloha Stars	010	322	010	03	--	12	15	3
Hawaiian Stars	330	001	011	02	--	11	13	2

Jared Pate, David Parrow (2), Jayson Kramer (3), Ian Mopas (4), Kelii Zablan (5), Conan Young (6), Koa Kaleo (7), Travis Fernandez (8), Kaohi Downing (9), Nick Freitas (10), Landon Nakata (11) and Kip Masuda, Sheldon Santiago (4), Masuda (5), Santiago (7), Masuda (9). Kirby Yates, Clayton Uyechi (2), Kevin Matsumoto (3), James Bannister (4), Chaz Miyashiro (5), Kahoku Piho (6), Andrew Blomberg (7), Adam Arakawa (8), Tony Aquino (9), Lance Powell (10), Thomas Yamasaki (11) and Kevin Fujii, Preston Pires (2), Kamaka Crabbe (3), Fujii (4), Pires (8), Crabbe (10). W--Nakata. L--Yamasaki.

Leading hitters--Aloha: Masuda 2-4, HR, 3 RBIs; Downing 2-3, 2 RBIs. Hawaiian: Tyler Harrison 2-3, 2b; Kevin Fujii 2-2, 2b, RBI; Yates 1-2, 2 RBIs; Clayton Uyechi 2-2, 3b, 3 RBIs.