KAPA‘A — Host Kawaihau all-star Majors will go up against the Kaneohe Nationals starting at 1 p.m. today at the New Kapa‘a Ball Park Main Diamond. Drawing a bye on opening day of the 2007 District 1 Major Tournament, Abe
KAPA‘A — Host Kawaihau all-star Majors will go up against the Kaneohe Nationals starting at 1 p.m. today at the New Kapa‘a Ball Park Main Diamond.
Drawing a bye on opening day of the 2007 District 1 Major Tournament, Abe Kuhaulua, coach of the Kawaihau all-star team, watched as the American and National teams from the Kaneohe program won their opening day games.
Following the Kaneohe Nationals’ 6-1 edge over Kahalu‘u, Kuhaulua gathered his coaching staff to plan strategy for their matchup.
In the earlier contest, Kaneohe Americans were 11-4 winners over Kailua.
Opening day results set the stage for today when the Kaneohe Americans face off against Kainalu starting at 10 a.m. Following the Kawaihau contest, Kahalu‘u and Kailua will match up starting at 4 p.m.
The Kailua redshirts opened strong, pushing four runs home while holding the Americans to just one run in the first frame.
But the Americans chipped back, and while holding Kailua to no more runs in the contest, pulled ahead in the third inning with three runs and added another five runs in the last two frames.
Tyler Hazama and Braxton Kihara paced the Americans win, each blackshirt scoring three times in the win.
Kailua got scores from Kelle Miyama, Bryce Ah Sam, Racecen Nakagawa and Niklas Ajifu.
Kaneohe Nationals came out swinging in their opening against Kahalu‘u, but could not score as their leadoff runner was cut down at the plate.
Kahalu‘u, taking advantage of a walk issued to Kyle Kamae, got secondbase on an error, and broke the ice on a backdoor play when Ted Locey drew the attention on a steal attempt.
That 1-0 lead stood until the third inning when the Nationals pushed Eric Akamine, singling to first, across for the 1-1 stalemate.
The Nationals exploded for five runs in the fourth inning as Akamine scored his second run of the game on an RBI shot from Kalei Davis to light the fireworks.
Davis crossed on a Mike Pang RBI shot, and Kahalu‘u miscues settled the big man at thirdbase. Firstbase Danny Kong followed and pushed Pang and Kalen Hamada, drawing first on a walk, home.
Kong came home on a fielder’s choice play on Micah Camara for the final math.
