Game of the Week
Kalani, Kaiser meet in first game of Saturday OIA doubleheader


ScoringLive Staff
April 10, 2014, 2:33pm

Kalani's Micah Wong makes a throw to first in a game on March 28, 2014 against Kaiser. Greg Yamamoto | SL

There will be no shortage of story lines when Kalani and Kaiser face off on the diamond Saturday afternoon.

The Falcons (6-4) were one of the hottest teams in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red Conference last week, having won five straight games and ascending to third place in the Red East division. However, they have since dropped their last two — allowing 11 runs in back-to-back games — to fall into fifth place.

The Cougars (5-4) meanwhile, are riding high after winning their last three contests. They had lost four of their last five games prior to the win streak and have climbed to fourth place — 1/2 a game ahead of Kalani.

With the 12-game regular season coming a close next week, each remaining game will have deep playoff implications. Both teams have already clinched a berth in the 12-team OIA Red tournament.

During it's five-game win streak, Kalani outscored its opponents by a combined 62 to 20. However, in the past two games, it has been outscored 22 to 10, including an 11-4 loss to Roosevelt Wednesday.

After going 2-4 during the first half of the regular season, Kaiser has started the second go-around 3-0. Of its five wins, Kaiser has won four of them by four or fewer runs, including a 4-3 win over eighth-ranked Moanalua Wednesday.

Reece Kakugawa struck out seven Cougars and allowed two runs on four hits in six innings of work when the Falcons won the first meeting, 4-2, back on March 28. Brandon Roberts and Reyn Shitanishi each drove in a run for Kalani in that game. Jeshua Bitanga batted 2 for 3 and Kamalu Simeona allowed three runs in four innings for Kaiser.

Saturday's game will be play at Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park as part of a televised doubleheader on OC16. Roosevelt (6-3) takes on Castle (2-7) in the second game. First pitch between the Falcons and Cougars is set for 3:30 p.m.

Moanalua (6-3) visits Kalaheo (0-10) at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in the other Red East game this weekend.