KEKAHA — Kekaha bats capitalized on Kapa‘a pitching in the fifth inning en route to a 10-5 win in six innings to open the Pony baseball season Sunday. Kahai Hosaka crossed the plate in the fifth inning courtesy of an
KEKAHA — Kekaha bats capitalized on Kapa‘a pitching in the fifth inning en route to a 10-5 win in six innings to open the Pony baseball season Sunday.
Kahai Hosaka crossed the plate in the fifth inning courtesy of an RBI from Keanu Rull who had a cheering section down the rightfield fenceline. Kaimana Jose followed across the plate after Dalton Brun was hit by a pitch, moving Jose home and keeping the bases loaded.
That set the stage for Gavin Jardin’s bat that drove in two runs — Kaulana Arroyo and Keanu for an 8-3 Kekaha bulge at that point.
Brun scored off a Kapa‘a error for the 9-3 margin and Jardin came home on an RBI off Joery Bagain for the 10-3 lead before Shigeta struck out his final batter leaving three potential Kekaha runs stranded on the pads.
Kapa‘a answered in the sixth inning, but could only muster two runs for the 10-5 final score.
Weston Moniz walked. Rajam Baliaris, also walking, moved Moniz into scoring position.
Brun, the starting Kekaha pitcher, showed his fatigue as he loaded the bases when John Yam walked, the third straight base-on-balls for Brun in the inning.
With just one out, Conner Chandler whacked a 2-RBI double to score Moniz and Baliaris. That hit saw Hosaka take Brun’s place on the mound, and a Kekaha double play ended the contest as time ran out.
Kekaha opened the season by scoring early after Kapa‘a hurler Randall Jacinto walked Arroyo on a bases-loaded situation, sending Hosaka to the plate. Brun upped the ante by scoring on a passed ball for a quick 2-0 lead.
Kapa‘a fought back in the bottom of the frame with their pair of runs as BJ Aiwohi, getting first after being hit by a pitch, crossed on a Shigeta RBI bomb. Shigeta tied the contest 2-2 on an RBI off Jonah Enrique.
But Jacinto got into trouble again in the third inning and with bases loaded and no outs, Moniz took his place.
His first batter, Hosaka, drew a walk to score Brun for the 3-2 lead. Jose’s bunt got him first base as the fielder’s choice play nailed the Kekaha runner at the plate.
Cyrus Medeiros’ sacrifice drove in another Kekaha run, and with bases loaded, Pierce Int-Hoot took over the mound to shut down the final Kekaha batter swinging, leaving another potential three runs stranded.
But the damage was done and Kekaha never looked back.
Pony baseball games are played at different parks across the island on Thursday afternoons and Sundays.
