Kamehameha grabs state tourney berth
POSTED: Sunday, April 26, 2009
After every practice, the Kamehameha baseball team culminates its group yell with “;States!”; as a reminder of the squad's goal of qualifying for the big tournament.
The Warriors accomplished that mission yesterday. Arlie Johnson's solo home run in the sixth inning broke a tie and helped Kamehameha down five-time defending state champion Punahou 6-4 in an Interscholastic League of Honolulu postseason tournament game yesterday at Ala Wai Community Park.
“;That's all Arlie—finally he got hold of one, and caught it perfectly,”; said Warriors senior starter Alika Pruett, who notched the victory after striking out six in a complete-game effort. “;That was our goal. Finally we pulled together.”;
The Warriors, ranked No. 2 in the Star-Bulletin state poll, can rest until Thursday's tournament championship game. Their opponent will be the winner of Tuesday's matchup of the final two still-to-be-determined one-loss teams. That squad must beat Kamehameha twice to win the tournament. If the second game is needed, it will be on Friday.
Because the Warriors (15-3) finished second in ILH regular-season play and can finish no lower than second in the tournament, the squad clinched the second of three league berths into the state tournament. No. 3 'Iolani locked up the league's first berth by winning the ILH regular-season title with a 7-0 tie-breaking victory over Kamehameha on Monday.
“;That's what we've been working toward for months now,”; said Kamehameha coach Vern Ramie of the state berth. “;It's nice to get that thing secured. We've got a great opportunity here and hopefully we can take advantage of it.”;
At Ala Wai Community Park
| Punahou (10-7) | 101 | 002 | 0 | — | 4 | 8 | 1 |
| Kamehameha (15-3) | 400 | 002 | X | — | 6 | 10 | 1 |
Evan Lim, Burt Kawamoto (1), Jeremy Fujimoto (6) and Tyler Young. Alika Pruett and Keanu Carmichael. W—Pruett. L—Fujimoto.
Leading hitters—Pun: Michael Suiter 2-2, 2 runs; Young 2 RBIs; Alaka'i Aglipay 2-3, RBI; Kainoa Crowell triple, RBI; Tyler Hanzawa 2-3. Kam: Jacob Meyer 3-4; Kewby Meyer 2 RBIs; Arlie Johnson solo home run, 2 RBIs; Josh Wong double; Carmichael double, RBI.
Saint Louis 4, No. 4 Mid-Pacific 2
With the bases loaded in the top of the seventh inning, Owls relief pitchers Dylan Tawata and Davis Chang hit consecutive batters, breaking a 2-2 tie.
| Saint Louis (9-8) | 001 | 100 | 2 | — | 4 | 8 | 1 |
| Mid-Pacific (11-6) | 000 | 011 | 0 | — | 2 | 7 | 0 |
Derek Makasata, Kini Enos (5), Chris Chung (7) and Jordan Fukumoto. Robert Dittrick, Gavin Kinoshita (5), Dylan Tawata (7), David Chang (7) and Dane Fujinaka. W—Enos. L—Tawata.
Leading hitters—StL: Evan Fujihara 3-4, RBI; Lucas Gonsalves RBI; Moses Samia 2-3, 3b, RBI; Keoki Lopez 2-3. MPI: Justin Protacio 3-4, 3b, 2b; Michael Arakaki 2b.
'Iolani 6, Damien 1
Buen Hatanaka belted a home run and drove in two to lead the Raiders over the Monarchs.
| Damien (5-12) | 010 | 000 | 0 | — | 1 | 4 | 1 |
| 'Iolani (15-3) | 201 | 300 | x | — | 6 | 6 | 3 |
Douglas Andrade, Trey Derby (6) and David Vasconcellos. Breland Almadova, Jarrett Arakawa (5) and Grant Iwamoto. W—Almadova. L—Andrade.
Leading hitters—Dam: Andrade 2b; Chris Wakazuru 2b. Iol: Buen Hatanaka HR, 2 RBIs, 2 runs; Trent Miyashiro 2 RBIs.
