HILO — Pahoa High School’s varsity baseball team defeated Ka‘u High School 10-1 Tuesday afternoon at Walter Victor Baseball Complex.
The Daggers began with a defensively dominant top first, setting the tone for the remainder of the contest. Ka‘u’s leadoff flew out to second baseman Cash Cohen, then two-hole Caleb Crook walked. PHS starting pitcher Donivan Lynch notched the second out by striking out Ka‘u’s third batter — then, two batters later, Crook was tagged out while attempting to steal home.
Though it initially seemed the bottom first would be over as soon as the top, Pahoa put up three runs with two outs. The Daggers’ leadoff hit a flyout to center fielder Eddie Wirtz, then their two-hole was struck out by KHS pitcher Jycetin Mukini. Lynch doubled, then made his way to third on a steal and a passed ball before reaching home on Tripp Kahsen’s single. Kahsen stole second and reached third on Max Potter’s single, then was batted in by Brayden Tolle’s single. Potter reached home as Angus Johnston was being put out by a throw from Mukini to first-baseman Devin Alpin.
Down 3-0, the Trojans suffered a top second shorter than their first. Lynch struck out the first and third batters, and the second flew out to Kahsen at second base.
Ka‘u resisted falling into a deeper deficit by shutting out Pahoa in the bottom second. Mukini struck out the first batter, then the next was put out at first, assisted by shortstop Mancu Reyes. One runner was left on base when the fourth batter flew out to second-baseman Pomai Kajuara.
Despite starting the inning with a good peformance on defense, the Trojans did not follow up with any points in the top third. Lynch recorded another strikeout, a runner was caught at second base, and the fifth batter was put out at first base.
The Daggers increased their lead to 5-0 in the bottom third. Lynch singled, then advanced to second on a balk. Kahsen singled, then reached second while Lynch crossed the plate as the three-hole was being put out at first. Kahsen scored a run while a double-play at first and second ended the inning.
Ka‘u did not fare better in the top fourth than it did in the previous inning. After hitting a grounder to shortstop Shane Silva, the leadoff was put out at first base. Lynch struck out the next two batters.
The Trojans notched another shutout and another double-play in the bottom fourth. A runner was put out by third-baseman Riley Koch, who then threw to Alpin at first. One runner was left on base at the end of the inning.
Lynch notched two more strikeouts to start off the top fifth, then a runner was put out at second base.
Pahoa was shut out during a short bottom fifth. The leadoff grounded to Pomai, who threw to first to put him out — then the next batter flew out to Mukini. The inning ended when the following batter flew out to left fielder Jovan Javar.
Ka‘u put up its first point in the sixth inning. Mukini reached first on an error, stole two bases and was batted in by Reyes’ single. Reyes was put out attempting to steal third, then Lynch struck out two batters.
The Daggers recorded a massive sixth inning, notching five runs on four hits, two hit-by-pitches and a walk. Kahsen hit a walk-off double to seal Pahoa’s victory.
“We battled from the beginning and we kept all the way throught the game,” Pahoa head coach Gavin Denello said. “We had a tough loss on Saturday. We played (Konawaena) pretty tough and ended up losing at the end of the game. To bounce back like this was good to see.”
Kahsen and Lynch each went three-for-four to lead the Daggers at the plate, each scoring two runs.
Lynch earned the win for Pahoa, striking out eleven, walking two, hitting two by pitch and allowing two hits.
Mukini went two-for-two, leading Ka‘u in the box.
The Daggers, now 2-2 for the season, will play against Honokaa High School at 3 p.m. on Saturday at Waiakea High School.
The Trojans will be back in action at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Keaau High School.
