Isaac Ramboyan marked four RBIs in the first inning to lead the Lihu‘e 1 in its 12-1 win over Kekaha in the PONY Baseball League contest played at Vidinha Stadium, Sunday. In the double header at the Waimea Canyon Park,
Isaac Ramboyan marked four RBIs in the first inning to lead the Lihu‘e 1 in its 12-1 win over Kekaha in the PONY Baseball League contest played at Vidinha Stadium, Sunday.
In the double header at the Waimea Canyon Park, Kalawai picked up its second straight win on a 6-0 edge over Kapa‘a, and Waimea was a 10-5 winner over the Lihu‘e 2.
Lihu‘e 1 capitalized on the Kekaha starting pitcher as Ramboyan batted twice in the inning, opening with an RBI single. With two outs, Ramboyan got first on a Kekaha error that cleared the bases with three runs scoring on the play.
During that same frame, Erin Doi smacked a two-RBI single, Kawika Ibia and Travis Koga each marked an RBI, Koga getting first on another Kekaha miscue, and a hit batter with bases loaded drove in another run.
But the Kekaha pitching settled down, and in the third inning, with two outs, the Westside boys could not close the door as Ramboyan singled followed by Travis Koga walking to first to set the stage for Lihu‘e 1 starting pitcher Jensen Koga who marked an RBI by driving Ramboyan home on a single.
Pitching woes continued for Kekaha who filled the bags when Austin Oshiro walked. But the final batter struck out to leave three runners stranded for the 10-0 Lihu‘e 1 lead.
Kekaha bats came alive in the fourth inning when Kekaha catcher Kaimana Jose tripled with one out, and scored on an RBI single by Kaelin Lopez.
Those two hits were the only hits allowed by Lihu‘e 1 in the game shortened by the 10-run rule.
Following the Kekaha run, Lihu‘e 1 ensured the short game by scoring two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning when Brian Haz singled to third base with two outs.
Korey Uemura hit into an RBI ball to score Haz and advanced into scoring position on the play to set the stage for the final score when Bryson Hiranaka got life on a third strike play, scoring Uemura in the process.
Jensen Koga picked up the win for Lihu‘e 1 with no runs or hits allowed while striking out five Kekaha batters and walking none before being relieved in the fourth inning by Tyren Texeira.
Texeira went on to finish with one run and two hits allowed, but striking out four batters and walking none.
With the win, Lihu‘e 1 improves to 3-0 and will host Kapa‘a (1-2) on Thursday afternoon.
Kekaha, suffering its third loss, will host Waimea at the Kekaha Park, and Kalawai, 2-0, will host the Hanapepe Cubs, 2-0, at the Kalawai Park.
All games start at 4:15 p.m.
