KEAAU — When Kamehameha’s heart-of-the-order hitters, Daylen Calicdan and Makana Aiona, get in a groove, they lead a symphony of loud base hits. ADVERTISING KEAAU — When Kamehameha’s heart-of-the-order hitters, Daylen Calicdan and Makana Aiona, get in a groove, they
KEAAU — When Kamehameha’s heart-of-the-order hitters, Daylen Calicdan and Makana Aiona, get in a groove, they lead a symphony of loud base hits.
Behind a 15-hit attack, the Warriors produced a 14-0 TKO victory over Keaau in a BIIF baseball game on Tuesday at Kameeiamoku Field.
Calicdan, the No. 3 batter, and Aiona, the cleanup hitter, each went 2 for 3 with three RBIs, giving more than enough run support to Brandyn Lee-Lehano, who pitched three scoreless innings for the win.
The 6-foot-4 senior right-hander allowed one hit, walked two and struck out six, running into minor trouble with two on in the third. But Lee-Lehano recorded a strikeout and groundout to turn the ball over to relievers Justyce Ishii, who whiffed three, and Kahi Tolentino, who struck out two, in one-inning stints.
“I felt all right. I fell all over the place,” said Lee-Lehano, who was the BIIF bowling runner-up in the fall. “I started bowling at 5 years old and quit and picked it up my freshman year. Bowling and pitching are similar. You have to repeat your shot and pitching motion. You have to repeat and execute your deliveries.”
Lee-Lehano led the league in scoring average but fell short in the BIIF championships. Still, he was named the BIIF bowler of the year. It was a bit of consolation and a major piece of motivation.
“I was a little disappointed, but I was happy I led every category and was the bowler of the year,” he said. “You have to put the work in and things will fall in your favor. You have to put more hard work in for a better result.”
Leadoff hitter Kegan Miura and No. 2 hitter DallasJ Duarte were good table-setters. Each batted 2 for 3 and scored two runs. Miura and Kyran Kai each had two RBIs. Lee-Lehano also helped himself at the plate; he went 3 for 3 and had an RBI.
The Division II Warriors (1-0) committed zero errors, and their pitchers struck out 11 out of 18 Cougar hitters.
For the Division I Cougars (1-1), Anson Kauwe took the loss in 2 2/3 innings. He retired the side in the second but was sandwiched by ugly innings, giving up five in the first and nine in the third. Ed Oguma pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings.
Calicdan belted a two-run triple in the first inning, and Aiona followed with a screaming RBI triple.
“It feels good to get a win to open our season. It helps build our confidence,” Calicdan said. “I’m more confident driving the ball whatever the pitch is, fastball or curveball. I’m squaring up and hitting line drives. That’s a big thing because I’ve got an upper cut, and I’ve worked on staying level.”
Aiona has been attending Kaha Wong’s hitting school for a year, and it’s paid off with a scholarship offer from Saint Martin’s. The NCAA signing date for baseball is April 13, so he and Calicdan, another Wong student, could attract offers.
“I’m feeling more confident than the preseason,” Aiona said. “I’m squaring up the ball more.”
Calicdan, a second baseman, is a three-year starter while Aiona has started at third since last season. Aiona, who’s 6 feet 2, credits his growth to his stepdad Daylan Asuncion, a police sergeant.
“My dad always emphasized to make good choices, do the right thing, take the right path,” Aiona said. “That’s made me a more humble person. Everything I get I owe to him. He’s the one who raised me.”
Meanwhile, Kamehameha coach Andy Correa had a good coaching day. His senior ace, Lee-Lehano, worked his way out of trouble, the defense had a spotless ballgame, and everyone had at least one hit.
“Daylen and Makana are starting to hit the ball better. We’re more consistent, hitting and bunting and we squeezed home a run (on a bunt),” Correa said. “That’s why Daylen and Makana are important. They can carry the team through slumps. The job of the other guys is to get on base.”
The quest for a fifth straight BIIF title got off to a good start. The Warriors swung hot bats. And the sound of loud base hits was music to the Kamehameha coach’s ears.
Keaau 000 00 — 0 1 1
Kamehameha 509 0x — 14 15 0
Hawaii Prep 3, Honokaa 1
Ka Makani manufactured two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning in Waimea to win their first game of the season in a Division II contest that featured 26 strikeouts and just six hits.
Finn Richmond, who was a tough-luck loser last Wednesday against the Dragons (1-2), struck out six in 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief to get the victory for HPA (1-2). Jonah Hurney started and fanned 10 in 4 1/3 innings and got a no-decision.
Honokaa starter Jonathan Charbonneau struck out 10 in six innings in taking the loss. He didn’t allow an earned run but walked six.
HPA started its go-ahead rally when Blake Winston singled to open the sixth and move to second on Kai Iida’s walk. With two outs, Iida scored on an error and Skyler Roque-Sunahara and Braden Kojima coaxed walks to bring home another run.
HPA’s Kana’i Gaughen finished with two hits, including a double in the fourth to score Richmond, who reached on a single.
Honokaa’s Nainoa Falk drew a bases-loaded walk in the fifth off Richmond to tie the game. Kieren Lo collected two hits for the Dragons, who committed five errors.
Honokaa 000 010 0 – 1 2 5
Hawaii Prep 000 102 x – 3 4 0
Kohala 6, Kealakehe 4
The Cowboys win their home opener to even their record at 1-1, while the Waveriders fell to 1-1.
Steve Medieros started on the hill for Kohala and allowed four runs, off of seven hits, in 4-2/3 innings. He walked five. Joey Salvador picked up the victory, allowing four hits and no runs in the final 3-2/3 innings. He struck out three and walked six.
