LIHU‘E — Another strong pitching performance and key clutch hits kept Mid-Pacific Institute undefeated as the Owls tallied a 14-2 win over Kaua‘i High School at Vidinha Stadium, Friday afternoon. With the win, the Owls are 2-0 at the Waimea
LIHU‘E — Another strong pitching performance and key clutch hits kept Mid-Pacific Institute undefeated as the Owls tallied a 14-2 win over Kaua‘i High School at Vidinha Stadium, Friday afternoon.
With the win, the Owls are 2-0 at the Waimea High School Baseball Invitational. Kaua‘i drops to 1-1 after its win over Kapa‘a, Thursday, tying the host Menehune who pocketed a 13-3 win over Kapa‘a at Hanapepe Stadium, Friday. Kapa‘a falls to 0-2.
With Dalston Miyasato on the mound for Kaua‘i, the Raiders were plagued with “two-out-itis” as the Owls struck with two outs, pushing five runs across on six hits in the first frame and following that with three more runs crossing on three hits in the third frame before Kaua‘i coach Hank Ibia replaced Miyasato with Matthew Ebueng.
But Ebueng suffered a similar fate in the fourth frame when the Raiders could not shut the door after one out.
Overall, Mid-Pacific finished with 14 runs on 14 hits given up by the Raider pitching staff with one miscue. Kaua‘i picked up its two runs on five hits, all given up by Ryan Muraoka, the Owls’ starting pitcher who was relieved after three innings.
Muraoka, in addition to picking up the win on the mound, helped the Owls with a two-RBI single to center field in the third frame as Mid-Pacific mounted an 8-0 lead.
In that inning, a tiring Muraoka faced Taran Tani, the Raiders’ leadoff hitter, who singled to left-center, followed by Kellen Aquino lacing another single to almost the same location.
With two outs, Erin Doi walked to fill the bases, setting the stage for Jamen Kealoha-Albarado who cranked a two-RBI double to right field for Kaua‘i’s scores.
The Owls lost little time capitalizing on unsettled pitching by Kaua‘i in the first. Justin Protacio, the second batter in the Owl lineup, opened with a single, stole second, and on a pick-off at third, advanced when the throw went past the baseman.
That shook up the Raiders who put Dylan Tawata, homering against Waimea, Thursday, aboard on a walk.
Jordan Obata singled to right, setting the stage for Dane Fujinaka who pushed two runs home on a double to right.
Tyler Nishimoto came up with an RBI double to left, Cy Higashi followed with an RBI single to right. Tyler Yoshizawa singled and a walk by Nikolas Alarcio loaded the bases before the final Owl popped out.
The Raiders settled down in the second, but the Owls continued to rattle the Kaua‘i dugout.
Kaua‘i opens the final day of play in the tournament by matching up against Waimea starting at 9 a.m. at Hanapepe Stadium.
That game will be followed by Mid-Pacific going up against Kapa‘a — a game that will see brothers Dunn and Gordon Muramaru matching coaching skills, Dunn coaching the Owls and Gordon at the Warriors’ helm. First pitch in that game goes off at 11:30 a.m.
The Owls play their final game against Waimea starting at 2 p.m. at Hanapepe Stadium.
