Kale Kaalekahi fired a three-hitter as Campbell overwhelmed Mililani 6-2 in Oahu Interscholastic Association Red West baseball yesterday at the Sabers' field.

Kaalekahi, a Star-Bulletin All-State pitcher last year, fanned six and walked just one with an efficient mix of sliders and fastballs. The 6-foot-2 senior, who will play at the University of Hawaii next season, didn't allow an extra-base hit and both runs were unearned.

The Sabers didn't lack for power with a 10-hit attack that featured five for extra bases. Two of those connections reached the right-field fence — bordering the softball field's home-team dugout — more than 400 feet away, including Robert Kahana's inside-the-park homer in the first.

But it was their defense, which included a bad pickoff throw by Kaalekahi, that actually showed key improvement.

“;We had to bring up some JV guys and now we're starting to mesh together,”; said Kaalekahi, who also hit a double. “;We've got to keep our hitting up and keep our defensive errors down. That's what killed us in preseason.”;

Coach Rory Pico's Sabers improved to 3-0 in the Red West. Mililani slipped to 3-2.

“;The slider was working good for the first pitch,”; said Kaalekahi's younger brother, Chadwick, the catcher.

Kale, who threw 89 pitches, rarely shook off any of his brother's pitch calls.

“;Mililani is still very aggressive on the first pitch. We just tried to bust them inside all the time,”; he said.

First-year Mililani coach Mark Hirayama was in good spirits despite the loss.

“;When you face a pitcher like Kale, he's always around the plate,”; the former UH player said. “;Against good pitchers, you've got to be aggressive early. He mixes it up well and hits his spots.”;

Being consistently on the corners only helped the Campbell ace.

“;He got the benefit of a couple of calls. He nibbles and he has command,”; Hirayama noted. “;If he doesn't get the call, he can come back on the next pitch.”;

The visiting Trojans found themselves behind the count often early in the battle, but stayed close. They took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Reid Uyehara singled, advanced on an error and came home on Andrew Benitez's grounder to third.

After Kahana's homer, Kale Kaalekahi and Cole Nagamine socked two-out doubles down the left-field line, allowing Kaalekahi to score the go-ahead run for a 2-1 lead entering the second frame.

Mililani starter Chad Hiyakumoto began to settle down, but fielding and throwing errors by shortstop Reid Uyehara on a grounder by Sau Momoe were costly. A wild pitch by Hiyakumoto permitted Rayven Kahana to score easily for a 3-1 Campbell lead.

Campbell tacked on two more runs in the fourth, loading the bases before Robert Kahana brought in Rayven Kahana with an infield single off reliever Tommy Moreno. Two pitches later, Moreno's inside fastball clipped Mike Memea's sleeve with the sacks still filled, and Campbell led 5-1.

A smooth 6-4-3 double play by the Trojans ended the inning, and they answered with a run in the top of the fifth. Tanner Nakasone got an infield single off Kaalekahi, went to second on an errant pickoff throw, and then scored on a looping single to right by Jared Ichimura.

However, the Sabers' ace retired the final seven Mililani batters, and Avery Marquez's 400-foot triple to right center scored pinch runner Peter McMahon in the bottom of the fifth for their final run.

Chad Hiyakumoto, Tommy Moreno (4), Wada Taoka (6) and Kacey Miyasato. Charles Kaalekahi and Chadwick Kaalekahi. W—Kaalekahi. L—Hiyakumoto.
Leading hitters—Mil: Jared Ichimura 1-3 RBI. Camp: Robert Kahana 2-4, HR, 2 RBIs; Charles Kaalekahi 2-4, 2b; Rayven Kahan 2 runs; Cole Nagamine 2-4, 2b; Chadwick Kaalekahi 2b; Matthew Joao 3b, RBI.

Jesus Tenorio and Troy Evans. Ryan Talo and Eric Scott, Clayton Atualevau (5). W—Tenorio. L—Talo.
Leading hitters—Rad: J.B. Fontenot 2-2, 2 runs; Ryan Moore 2b. Nan: Scott 2-2.

Chelsey Nakai, Nani Tanicuchi (4) and Kryn Masutani. Keiki Carlos and Kaydi Kochi. W—Carlos. L—Nakai.
Leading hitters—Iol: Masutani 2b. MPI: Carlos 1-2, 2b, RBI; Tasi Docktor HR; Tasha Luis-Hirata 2-3, 2 runs, RBI.

Jasmine Ioane, Kayla Shimoda (3), Jacie Young (5), Kylie Popov (6) and Kacie Kiyuna, Kylie Popov (2). Sheridan Mahelona, C. Koja (2) and S. Luczak, C. Koja (5). W—Ioane. L—Mahelona.
Leading hitters—Pun: Dori Leong 2-2, RBI; Shimoda 2-4, RBI, 3 runs; Mysha Sataraka 3b, 2 runs, 3 RBIs; Alexis DeFries 3b, 2 RBIs; Ioane HR, run, 2 RBIs.

VOLLEYBALL
ILH
Tuesday
Boys
Kamehameha def. University 25-7, 25-13

OIA RED EAST
Yesterday
Boys
Kalani def. Farrington 25-11, 25-13
Roosvelt def. Farrington 25-12, 25-20
Roosevelt def. Kalani 24-26, 25-15, 15-12
Kalaheo def. Castle 25-15, 26-24
Castle def. Kahuku 27-25, 25-18
Kalaheo def. Kahuku 25-22, 25-18

OIA RED WEST
Yesterday
Boys
Mililani def. Aiea 25-11, 25-19
Leilehua def. Aiea 26-27, 25-13, 15-12
Leilehua def. Mililani 19-25, 25-23, 15-11
Campbell def. Nanakuli 25-15, 25-23
Waianae def. Campbell 25-18, 25-7