HONOKAA — Kamaehu Richards deserved a better fate than a tough-luck loss, especially after hitting a three-run homer and firing 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.
But the Honokaa senior right-hander gave up three runs in the top of the 10th inning to Konawaena in a BIIF baseball game on Tuesday at Honokaa Park, where darkness turned an impending loss into a 7-7 tie.
Maybe it was a good thing that Richards allowed three runs, which were all wiped out as well as Vonn Yamaguchi’s two-run homer. That’s because the Dragons were unable to bat, and the game was counted from the last full inning, which was a scoreless ninth.
The Dragons (1-5-1) have only one win, but their tie could prove helpful for a spot in the four-team BIIF Division II playoffs.
The Wildcats (2-5-1) stranded 17 on base, including the sacks full in the fourth, fifth and seventh, when Richards relieved sophomore ace Caden Perreira, and got a clutch inning-ending flyout.
Richards had a 3-hour, 45-minute ballgame to remember. He batted 3 for 5 three RBIs, clubbing his three-run home run in the first. For the record, he pitched 2 1/3 shutout innings.
The 7-7 tie erased his wobbly work in the 10th inning, and had Honokaa coach Tim Sumera praising the effort of both teams.
“Two teams played a great game, and the tie may benefit us for the playoffs,” he said. “It’s a positive for our team, and that’s what baseball is all about.
“Kama is our go-to guy. He can come in and throw strikes, and got the save in our win over Kohala. He’s a great athlete and he’s got a good head on his shoulders.”
Nainoa Falk and Paki Akau batted 3 for 5 for the Dragons, who stranded six on base.
Falk started and allowed three runs in three innings. Perreira couldn’t find his pitching rhythm and surrendered four runs in 2 2/3 innings. They combined for 11 walks and four of the free passes eventually scored.
The game was error-filled with nearly a dozen miscues, but that added to the entertainment for the fans, and a few gray hairs for the coaches, especially the Konawaena staff.
The Wildcats committed six errors, which led to four unearned runs. The Dragons had five errors, which led to just one unearned run.
Kolu Alani started and yielded five runs (two unearned) in three innings. Stevie Texeira followed and allowed two runs (both unearned) in three innings. Then ace right-hander Shelton Grace calmed the waters, and fired three scoreless innings.
Kelsey Katayama was a major headache for Honokaa. The Kona leadoff hitter batted 3 for 5 and scored three runs. Anthony Ward went 3 for 3 and Kaiya Leleiwi was 2 for 5 with an RBI.
The first inning was a good indication that the ballgame was going to be roller-coaster of momentum swings.
The Wildcats loaded the bases with two walks and an error. Then Perreira, in center field, made a shallow catch, and gunned down a runner at home for a double play. Richards, at first base, made an over-the-shoulder catch for the third out.
Down 7-5 in the seventh, Konawaena scored two runs on no hits, aided by four walks and an error.
After Phillip Grace walked, with the bases full, to tie the score, Richards entered and got a flyout to extinguish that Wildcat rally.
Richards’ relief job of 2 1/3 scoreless innings didn’t result in a save, but it definitely felt like one for the Dragons.
Kona 003 200 200 — 7 10 6
Honokaa 311 020 000 — 7 12 5
