HANAPEPE — The Kalaheo Kaneshiro Farms hammered out 16 runs on 21 hits to clinch the 2007 Americans of Japanese Ancestry title Sunday on a 16-6 win over Waimea. Tom Shigemoto, the Kaua‘i AJA president, said with just two more
HANAPEPE — The Kalaheo Kaneshiro Farms hammered out 16 runs on 21 hits to clinch the 2007 Americans of Japanese Ancestry title Sunday on a 16-6 win over Waimea.
Tom Shigemoto, the Kaua‘i AJA president, said with just two more weeks remaining in the season, Kalaheo takes the title as the closest competitors all have at least three losses.
In the second contest of the day, Hanapepe Rivermen mounted another hit-a-thon, capturing the Lihu‘e Builders 24-13 on 24 hits.
Kaina McCallum went nine innings on the mound to pick up the Kalaheo win. In his tenure, McCallum allowed two runs on six hits while striking out six Waimea batters and walking seven.
Gerren Itamura, who shared the win with McCallum, led the Kalaheo bats, going 3-for-4, tagging a triple and a pair of singles with 3 RBI.
Kaina McCallum also wielded a heavy bat with a 3-for-6 showing, a double and two singles with 5 RBI. Zoom Bukoski was a perfect 4-for-4 with a double and three singles and an RBI. Brandon Ishibasi (2-5) finished with 2 RBI on a pair of singles with Dave Bukoski (2-6) and Jake Oketani (2-4) rounding out the power hitting with an RBI each. Troy Kaneshiro (3-5) and Keola McCallum (2-6) also got hits for Kalaheo in the win.
Waimea lead-off batter Kailen Malama finished 2-for-4 for the Tsunami with Ken Morikawa (1-for-1) also singling. Ian Imamura (1-2), Kelsey Morikawa (1-3) and Jayrold Watanabe (1-3) each finished with an RBI.
Ed Yamase went the distance for Waimea in the loss, allowing 14 runs on 21 hits while striking out four and walking three.
Troy Yamase was perfect in the batting box for the Rivermen, finishing 5-for-5 with four singles and a triple with one RBI. Kevin Suga (3-5) and Russuell Ijima (2-5) also finished with an RBI apiece.
Vince Nitta (2-5) was the big RBI generator, finishing with 5 followed by Brandon Hashimoto (3-6) and Leroy Nonaka (2-4) with 4 each. Dean Nonaka (3-5) and Mike Yaris (2-5) each chalked up 2 RBI.
Yaris picked up the win for Hanapepe, going eight innings and allowing 10 runs on a dozen hits with 10 strikeouts and six walked.
Lihu‘e’s Barry Kawamura was 3-for-3 to lead Lihu‘e, finishing with 2 RBI. Kawamura was not as fortunate on the mound as he suffered the loss for Lihu‘e. He allowed 9 runs on 14 hits with two strikeouts and walked two in his 5-inning outing.
Aaron Adachi was also perfect for Lihu‘e, finishing 2-for-2.
Long ball hitter Bobby Texeira finally found the fence on a 3-run homer, his only hit of the day.
Stanton Yoshimori (1-3), Scott Ebesu (1-5) and Cory Sakai (1-5) each notched an RBI. Curtis Matsumura (1-3) singled.
Sunday’s games continue at Hanapepe Stadium with Lihu‘e coming to visit Waimea in the 10 a.m. opening contest. That game will be followed by Kalaheo tangling with Makaweli.
