Kealakehe blew an 8-1 lead in the bottom of the seventh inning of a BIIF contest to Konawaena, only to rebound and slam the door on the ‘Cats in extra innings, escaping Gabby Inaba Field with a narrow 10-9 win.
“We are having a tough time late in the game shutting it down,” said Kealakehe coach Josh Hansen. “But the fight in this team this season is something we have not had in the past. We keep battling and getting good at-bats. They are driving the ball and driving runs in and we are competitive right now.”
Kealakehe (2-2) struck early in the game, pushing five runs across the plate in the top of the second inning thanks to control issues by Konawaena starting pitcher Tristan DeAguiar. DeAguiar walked Louie Garcia and Pulama Lewis to start the inning. Garcia stole second and the throw from the catcher sailed into left, allowing a run.
DeAguiar walked Hunter Cuaresma and Bryton Lewi singled down the left field line to load the bases with no outs. Makana Kaluau hit a line drive to left, scoring both Lewis and Cuaresma for a 3-0 lead.
Keoki Meyers followed with a single to left, allowing Bryton Lewi to score. Shaden Lewi hit a jammed shot to right-center, loading the bases again and ending the night for DeAguiar.
Logan Canda entered and forced the first batter he faced to hit a grounder to third with the out coming at the plate. Pohaku Dela Cruz, singled to right-center, scoring Keoki Meyers for a 5-0 lead. Canda finally escaped the second inning after forcing fielder’s choice at home and striking out a batter. All five runs were charged to DeAguiar.
While Konawaena’s starter struggled, the Kealakehe starter looked strong. Dela Cruz recorded eight straight outs before walking Kaiya Leleiwi in the third. He would get the next batter to fly out to center.
The Kealakehe offense scored a run in the fifth and two in the sixth, while Konawaena’s offense picked up with one run in the fifth and sixth innings to make in an 8-2 game heading into the final inning.
After Canda put Kealakehe down in the top of the inning, Dela Cruz was pulled after working the first six. He allowed only two runs on two hits, but would get a no decision as the Wildcats scored six runs against two relievers, while only recording two hits in the bottom of the seventh
“Pohaku pitched his butt off today, “Hansen said. “That kid is a competitor and he gives us a chance to win.”
Markus Degrate entered in relief first but struggled with his control. He allowed a pair singles to Kaiya Leleiwi and Shelton Grace, and then hit Skye Suzuki to load the bases with one out. He then walked two, allowing Phillip Grace and Canda to score. Degrate was pulled for Shaden Lewi.
Konawaena continued to rally when Tyler Kitaoka reached on a fielder’s choice to second. The runner at the base was called safe on a controversial call by the umpire, who ruled the bag was not touched. Shelton Grace crossed the plate to cut the deficit to three.
A walk to Kolu Alani brought in Phillip Grace and a wild pitch scored Canda to make it a one run game. After an intentional walk to AJ Allred, Kaiya Leleiwi laid down a perfect squeeze to score Kitaoka for the tying run. All six runs were charged to Degrate.
Heading into extra innings, the Kealakehe offense continued to fight and they were aided by the Wildcat defense when Dustin Waiau reached second on a throwing error to lead off the inning. A sac-bunt by Shaden Lewi moved Waiau to third and he scored on a infield hit by Degrate. After Dela Cruz walked, Garcia hit into what should have been a double play, but a bad throw to first allowed him to reach safely and allowed Degrate to score for a 10-8 advantage.
Konawaena’s second comeback bid fell just short. Suzuki and Phillip Grace walked, ending the night for Shaden Lewi, but he would eventually pick up the victory. Makana Kaluau entered and allowed a run scoring double to Kitaoka, but with two outs, he forced Alani to hit a grounder to second to end the game.
“We were dead for the first six innings and finally had a spark back to life in the seventh,” said Konawaena head coach Kevin Taberios. “I like the fight, we just can’t seem to put everything together and tonight the hits came way to late.”
Keal 051 002 02 — 10 15 3
Kona 000 011 61 — 9 7 2