Dylan Ishihara, with two outs in the seventh, whacked an RBI single to rightfield to score Kaimana Shigematsu to give Waimea a 9-8 win over Lihu‘e at Vidinha Stadium. With the kickoff of the NFL Super Bowl spurring on the
Dylan Ishihara, with two outs in the seventh, whacked an RBI single to rightfield to score Kaimana Shigematsu to give Waimea a 9-8 win over Lihu‘e at Vidinha Stadium.
With the kickoff of the NFL Super Bowl spurring on the players, the Makaweli Indians was a 16-11 winner over the defending champion Kalaheo Kaneshiro Farms in the second game of the Americans of Japanese Ancestry baseball league contest at Hanapepe Stadium.
That win came off two homeruns and four RBIs from Travis Shigeta, who also led the defensive effort on the mound for the victory.
Waimea Tsunami, one of the fledgling teams in the league, picked up its first win of the season with the win.
Opening the scorebooks in the second inning, the Tsunami was able to answer the Lihu‘e Builders’ challenges in the seventh and held off the Builders through the eighth frame for the win.
Kailen Malama, singling to center with one away in the second, crossed the plate for the ice-breaker on a sacrifice fly by Jordan Kitabayashi.
Lihu‘e answered that mark with four runs in the fourth frame as Isea Horner, Andrew Renaud, Scott Ebesu and Curtis Matsumura crossed on four Lihu‘e hits and a Waimea miscue.
Waimea answered in the bottom with three runs to knot the contest 4-4, and surged ahead in the fifth with four runs.
Kelsey Morikawa, drawing first after being hit by a pitch, scored off a Lihu‘e error. More Lihu‘e woes followed as Malama walked to first and scored off Kitabayashi’s fly to center. Steven Werner, singling to left, scored the final run in the fourth on an RBI single to rightfield by Kalani Fernandez.
The Tsunami continued to capitalize off the Lihu‘e mound in the fifth inning as three of the four walks given up by the Builders’ pitcher crossed the plate, the first coming on off a fielder’s choice on Malama’s at-bat to cross Kelii Shigematsu with two away.
Werner and Ken Morikawa Jr. crossed off RBI hits from Kaimana Shigematsu and a two-bagger from Kelsey Morikawa before Lihu‘e closed the frame.
Kelsey Morikawa (2-4) and Kitabayashi (1-1) topped the Tsunami lumberyard with two RBI, each. Kaimana Shigematsu (1-1), Malama (1-2), Ishihara (1-4) and Fernandez (1-4) each chalked up RBI in the box. Ken Morikawa (1-1), Ed Yamase (1-3) and Brysen Nakashima each singled.
Ahren Kaneshiro and Yamase combined on the hill to give up 8 Lihu‘e runs on 12 hits while Yamase, hurling for five innings, struck out three and walked none.
Lihu‘e combined the talents of Stan Morinaka Jr., Horner and Allan Mundon on the hill to give up eight runs on 10 hits. Morinaka, throwing for four innings, struck out four Tsunami hitters while walking three and giving up three runs. Mundon went three frames to give up three hits, struck out four while walking one.
Darren Sakai (3-5) topped the Lihu‘e bats with three RBIs. Renaud (2-5) and Mikey Cardinez (2-5) each singled and doubled to drive in two runs. Scott Ebesu (1-2) followed with an RBI. Micah Hee (2-4), Mundon (1-2) and Matsumura (1-2) rounded out the Builders’ lumberyard.
Travis Shigeta (3-5) had two home runs with four RBI and scored three times to lead the Makaweli hitters.
Ikaika Pezario (4-5) had the hot bat in the Makaweli win, hitting Kalaheo for two doubles, a triple with four RBI and scored three times. Leighton Otoman (3-4) followed with three RBIs. Sean Jardin (2-4) had two RBIs and scored twice.
Cody Dotario (1-4) marked 2 RBI and scored twice with Royce Ijima (2-5) netted an RBI while crossing the plate twice in the win.
Shigeta, who shared the mound with Jason Nakata and Brad Murayama, picked up the win, going three frames to give up two runs on three hits while striking out three and walking three.
Garren Itamura (2-5) had the hot bat for Kalaheo with a triple, an RBI and scoring twice. Brandon Ishibashi (1-3) doubled, came up with a stolen base and scored twice. Kainoa Santos (2-5) doubled, marked an RBI and scored twice. Kainoa McCallum (1-3) doubled for an RBI and scored. Kekoa McCallum (2-4) also marked an RBI and scored once in the effort.
Kaina McCallum was strapped with the loss in five innings with 14 runs given up on 14 hits while striking out three and walking three.
