HONOKA‘A — A bottom-third grand slam by Ha‘o Kanekoa powered Honoka‘a High School’s varsity baseball team past Waiakea High School to a 4-3 victory on Saturday afternoon.
“It feels amazing to beat the defending state champions,” said Honokaa head coach Devin Joaquin. “It’s nice to meet that feat, especially against a fundamentally sound and well-disciplined team like Waiakea.”
The first inning saw few results for either team. With He’olu Bertelmann-Makanani on the mound in the top first, the first two batters flew out. Caleb Wada walked — but was left on base following a groundout to shortstop Aiden Joaquin. In the bottom frame, Loren Iwata struck out the leadoff and the two-hole grounded out to Isaiah Justo. The three-hole reached first on an error, but was left on second by a ground out to shortstop Devin Garza.
The Warriors got on the board in the top second. With two outs, Clemson Julian reached home on a passed ball, then Toren Segovia singled to bat in Ivor Brooks. After getting hit by a pitch, Garza was caught stealing second — ending the frame. The Dragons were shutout in the bottom, leaving two on base.
After Honoka‘a left Waiakea scoreless in the top third, Kanekoa made his big play. Kinohi Lindsey doubled, Bertelmann-Makanani walked and Isaac Derego singled to load the bases. Caleb Wada relieved Iwata from the hill, but Kanekoa hit a grand slam to score all of his team’s points for the outing. A flyout, a strikeout and a lineout sent the Dragons back onto the field.
The Warriors scored their final run in the top fifth with Joaquin on the mound. Joshua Ward singled, and was subbed in for by courtesy runner Gavin Nishida — who promptly stole second. Justo was hit by a pitch, then while Ivor Brooks was at bat, Nishida advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a passed ball.
“Going forward, we need to keep everything together,” coach Joaquin said. “We need to not commit any errors, because we gave up a lot of runs on errors. If we play clean baseball, we’ll be good.”
Joaquin earned the win for Honoka‘a. The lefty pitched four innings, allowing two hits and one run while striking out five and walking one. Josyah Umeda threw one inning in relief out of the bullpen. Bertelmann – Makanani allowed two hits and two runs over two innings, striking out one
Loren Iwata took the loss for Waiakea — lasting two innings while allowing three hits and three runs, striking out four.
Kanekoa went two-for-three with a run and four RBI to lead the Dragons in the box. Lindsey trailed, going two-for-four with a run.
Ward went two-for-four at the plate to lead the Warriors.
Today at 3 p.m., Honoka‘a will host Ka‘u High School.
On Saturday, Waiakea will host Hawai‘i Prep at 3 p.m.