KAPA’A — The Ron Martin Tournament host spent Saturday afternoon reiterating the old adage that records are insignificant when facing a rival. A two-run double from Kaili Panui jump started a three-run sixth inning, as Kapa’a came from two down
KAPA’A — The Ron Martin Tournament host spent Saturday afternoon reiterating the old adage that records are insignificant when facing a rival.
A two-run double from Kaili Panui jump started a three-run sixth inning, as Kapa’a came from two down to shock Kaua’i High in the final tourney tussle, 5-4.
The victory spoiled the Red Raiders’ run to the Ron Martin title; instead Oahu Interscholastic Association representative Roosevelt was crowned champions of the 19th annual event. Both the Rough Riders and the Red Raiders ended with 3-1 record in the round-robin tournament. Fewest errors, however, was the agreed upon first tiebreaker. Roosevelt committed eight; Kaua’i blundered seven times over its four games.
Kapa’a finished the tournament with a 1-3 record, but got the victory it wanted most, spoiling the Red Raiders’ day, and throwing down a makeshift gauntlet as the KIF season readies to start March 24.
In an interesting twist, had the agreed upon tournament rules been followed, the Warriors’ sixth-inning explosion might never have unfolded. Ron Martin games were to be held to seven innings or a two-hour time limit. One hour and 50 minutes into the game, Kaua’i’s Jake Oketani pitched the home Warriors into a three up, three down fifth inning. At that point, Kaua’i led 4-2.
With no games waiting behind the teams, it was decided the contest would be played its full seven innings, regardless of time constraints.
Kaua’i rapped a couple of singles off Kapa’a reliever Kai Lopez — the eventual winning pitcher — but the youngster forced Raider Casey Oketani into a double play ball. Kaua’i went to the dugout without any production.
That paved the way for the bottom of the sixth. Designated hitter Jonathan Ancheta walked. Oketani then got Bradley Wakuta to pop out before beaning Dustin Mundon and Tyler Wakuta in succession to load the bases. Panui then fired a ground-rule double over the left-field fence to tie the game. Royce Rapozo struck out, setting up Robin Lore’s RBI single. Tyler Wakuta came home for the game-winning run.
In the bottom of the sixth, Lopez walked two Kaua’i batters. That brought senior Mark Rodrigues to the plate with two on and one out. To that point in the Ron Martin, the left-hander was 9-for-11 from the plate with eight RBI. Lopez forced Rodrigues into a weak shot up the middle that the Warriors turned into a double play, ending the game.
Oketani picked up the loss.
The game’s starting pitchers –each a freshman — were solid. Kaua’i’s Alec Reichle went four innings, struck out four, walked two and allowed five hits. Kapa’a’s Tyson Cremer went five innings, struck out three, yielded two walks and gave up five hits.
Kaua’i 10, St. Joseph 3
In Saturday’s third game, the Red Raiders jumped all over the Big Island Interscholastic Federation school, grabbing a 9-3 lead after four innings.
Kaua’i was the benefactor of nine walks, and was outhit 5-4 by the Cardinals. Red Raiders’ RBI belonged to Mark Rodrigues (2), Kamanu Grace and Levi Rapozo. Grace also scored three times.
Rapozo pitched all five innings to pick up the win.
St. Joseph finished 1-3 in the tournament.
Kaimuki 10, Kapa’a 4
After four innings, the Warriors trailed just 5-4 against the OIA school. But errors led to runs in the top of the fifth, as the Bulldogs scored five, and put away the host.
Kapa’a outhit Kaimuki 8-7, but yielded nine walks. Warriors’ RBI belonged to Ancheta and Tyler Wakuta.
Kaimuki finished the tournament 2-2.
Roosevelt 19, Kaimuki 6
The second game of the day featured 24 total walks, throwing off the time schedule for the rest of the afternoon. Kaimuki issued 20 of those free bases to the Rough Riders, as the teams combined for just 12 hits. Roosevelt scored 13 runs in the top of the fourth. The Bulldogs then scored six in the bottom half.
