KEALAKEKUA — Playing in subpar weather, players from Kamehameha and Konawaena struggled to find their top form in a BIIF Division II game on Wednesday at Gabby Inaba Field. The Warriors managed to take advantage of four costly Wildcat errors, and a few more mental miscues, while also holding off a late charge for a 7-4 victory.
KEALAKEKUA — Playing in subpar weather, players from Kamehameha and Konawaena struggled to find their top form in a BIIF Division II game on Wednesday at Gabby Inaba Field. The Warriors managed to take advantage of four costly Wildcat errors, and a few more mental miscues, while also holding off a late charge for a 7-4 victory.
Kamehameha held a commanding 7-1 lead heading into the sixth inning thanks to sophomore pitcher and University of Hawaii commit Tai Atkins.
Atkins did not have his usual control but battled his way through 4 2/3 innings before being taken out due to his pitch count. He allowed only two hits and one unearned run, while striking out six and walking two.
“He didn’t have command of his pitches but he made enough pitches when he needed to,” said Kamehameha head coach Andy Correa. “We were fortunate to play some good defense and that helped.”
Starting on the hill for Konawaena was Tristan DeAguiar, who also pitched well but the score didn’t show it as the Wildcat defense struggled to make plays. DeAguiar took the loss, but of the six runs he allowed through 3 2/3 innings, only two were earned. He gave up six hits, striking out two and walking one.
“Tristan came out and pitched well, pitching to contact,” said Konawaena head Adam Tabieros. “He kept us in the game as long as he could. He pretty much did what he has done all season long to win games, but the defense wasn’t there today.”
Offensively, Kobie Kinzie led the Warriors with two hits. He had a double with two RBIs and two runs scored, while also laying down a sacrifice bunt. For Konawaena, Kolu Alani had two of the team’s four hits, one of which was triple in the sixth inning that help the Wildcats close the gap to three runs.
“We were fortunate enough to take advantage of some breaks, while getting some key hits when we needed too,” Correa said. “Kona is a real tough team and we knew they were not going to give up. We expected that late rally.”
Kamehameha jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Kyran Kai led off the game with a single to left and Kinzie walked. Jaisten Cabatbat singled to center, loading the bases. Dustin Asuncion hit into a fielder’s choice, allowing Kai to score, but Cabatbat was called out at second. Dan Ahuna then singled, scoring Kinzie.
Atkins walked the first batter he faced in the bottom of the inning, but picked the runner off the bag at first. Atkins showed a good pick-off move throughout the game, catching three Konawaena runners off the bag.
The Wildcats took advantage of a Kamehameha error to cut the lead in half in the bottom of the second inning. Austin Ewing walked, stole second and scored when Stevie Texeira reached base on a throwing error by the pitcher.
The Warriors got the run back in top of the third when Kai reached on an error, was sacrificed to second, and scored when Cabatbat reached on another error.
Kamehameha started to stretch its lead in the top of the fourth, pushing three runs across the plate. Braeden Coloma reached on an error and Bryce Furuli beat out a bunt single. After two outs, Kinzie doubled to center, scoring both runners. After another Wildcat error, Kinzie worked his way to third and scored on a passed ball.
The Warriors scored their final run in the top of the fifth when Justyce Ishii singled and scored on a Coloma double to center.
Atkins exited the game with two outs in the following inning and was relieved by Zakaia Michaels, who got the out but then ran into a little trouble in the top of the sixth.
Michaels hit the first batter he faced in the sixth, pinch hitter AJ Alani. AJ Allred entered as a pinch runner for Alani and moved to second when Andrew Udac reached on an error. Bryce Dorvall then hit for Kaiya Leleiwi, and doubled to right, scoring both runners. Kolu Alani came up next and tripled to center, scoring Dorvall. All three runs came with no outs but Kolu Alani would get stranded at third as Michaels settled down and let his defense work behind him.
Only one runner from either team would reach base in the final inning as the Warriors came away with the win. Kai got the save for Kamehameha, throwing the final frame and striking out one.
“We kicked ourselves in the butt and they capitalized,” Tabieros said. “Everything that we have been working on that has been working for us, did not work today. It was a flashback to last season.”