Kolu Alani shut down the Dragons offense for six innings and the Konawaena Wildcats escaped their road game against Honokaa with a 3-2 victory on Tuesday evening.
The win locked up the No. 2 seed for the BIIF Division II playoffs and now the Wildcats have homefield advantage against the Dragons when the two teams meet again in the D-II semifinals.
“It was a very close game and a very good game,” Konawaena head coach Adam Tabieros said. “It was a battle by both pitchers.”
Alani was efficient on the hill, throwing only 76 pitches over 6-1/3 innings. Konawaena entered the final inning with a 3-0 advantage, but then Honokaa rallied.
Caden Perriera singled to lead off the bottom of the seventh and Tonny Charbonneau walked. Kieran Lo grounded out to the pitcher, advancing both runners. Ocean Nobriga followed with a single, which brought home two runs.
The Nobriga singled ended the night for Alani. He was replaced by closer Stevie Texeira, who allowed a single to Kelvin Faulk but then forced back-to-back popouts with the tying run in scoring position to pick up the save.
Alani earned the win. He allowed five hits in 6-1/3 innings while walking two and striking out one.
The Konawaena offense did its damage in the top of the third inning, pushing all three runs across the plate. Alani was also the offensive leader, going 3-for-3 with three singles and and two RBIs.
“On the mound, Alani stepped up big for us and trusted his defense,” Tabieros said. “At the plate he helped himself out with some clutch hitting.”
Boatz Ayers and AJ Alred followed Alani offensively with a pair of 2-for-3 performances at the plate. They both scored a run.
Ayers led off the top of the third with a single to left and Allred followed with a bunt single down the third base line. A throwing error by the Honokaa pitcher allowed Ayers to score on the play and moved Allred to second.
Andrew Udac beat out another bunt and stole second. Tyler Kitaoka walked to load the bases for Alani, who singled to left, bringing home Allred and Udac.
The loss was a tough one for Charbonneau , the Dragons’ pitcher. He spread out nine over seven innings, striking out eight and walking two.
All five Honokaa hits were spread out to different batters.
Kamehameha 11, Pahoa 1
Daylen Calicdan batted 3-for-3 with four RBIs while Justyce Ishii and Brandyn Lee-Lehano combined on a one-hitter in a five-inning TKO game in Keaau.
Ishii pitched three scoreless innings for the win and whiffed three. Lee-Lehano allowed an unearned run on a hit and walk and struck out four.
Jaisten Cabatbat and Baron Victorino each went 2-for-2 for Kamehameha (11-1), which already has locked up an automatic berth to the HHSAA Division II tournament as the regular-season champion.
Julian Beimler pitched four innings in the loss. Kelton Conarton also pitched for the Daggers (0-12).
Hawaii Prep 7, Kohala 5
Ka Makani surged ahead with a four-run sixth in Kapaau, locking down the final postseason spot in Division I.
HPA (6-7) and Kamehameha will meet in the BIIF semifinals for the second year in a row.
