Maryknoll's Dunaway 2-hits No. 3 Kamehameha, 3-0

Maryknoll's Matthew Dunaway threw a two-hit shutout of Kamehameha, striking out five and walking just three in the victory. Michael Lasquero | SL

WAIPAHU - Matthew Dunaway fired a two-hitter and Maryknoll stunned third-ranked Kamehameha, 3-0, Friday night at Hans L'Orange Park.

The Spartans, winners of the last three Division II state titles, scored three runs in the top of the sixth off relief pitchers Kaliko Banquel and Ricky Costa to notch their second win of the year since moving up to Division I.

"The kids haven't given up," said Maryknoll coach Randy Yamashiro, whose team improve to 2-10. "They've gotten better and it's just a tribute to them not giving up. They just keep on playing."

Dunaway, who played first base on last year's state championship team, was pressed into the pitching rotation when All-Hawaii Division II First Team pitcher Jarred Kaneshiro suffered an injury to his non-throwing shoulder before the season. He walked three and stuck out five in a complete game effort against the Warriors.

"He's having a tremendous year right now," Yamashiro said on Dunaway. "I'm glad he earned a victory today because he's been keeping us in ball games. I'm glad he earned a victory today. He's come a long way. I didn't expect him to start this year, but because of all the injuries we've had, he's just flourished in it."

Kamehameha dropped to 8-4 and fell a game behind first-place Mid-Pacific (9-3) in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division I standings. Starter Chase Miyasato allowed five hits and a walk in four and two-thirds scoreless innings before getting replaced by Kaliko Banquel, who took the loss.

"Dunaway did a great job," said Kamehameha coach Tom Perkins. "He kept us off balanced all the way and we struggled today."

With Dunaway keeping the Warriors at bay, it was up to the Maryknoll batters to get runs on the board. The Spartans had opportunities before the sixth inning, but was a little over aggressive early on.

Maryknoll had two runners on scoring position in the top of the second before Miyasato Dreyden Yamaguchi struck out swinging to end the half. In the fifth inning the Spartans had a bases loaded situation after a Kamehameha pitching change, but Banquel struck out Chayson Dulatre to get out of the jam.

"The youth was showing," said Yamashiro. "This whole team is brand new."

Patience helped Maryknoll finally break through in the sixth inning.

Banquel walked Dunaway to start the frame and allowed Kaliko Thomas to reach on an error. He was soon replaced by Ricky Costa, who walked Jonah Chinen to load the bases with no outs. Costa then walked the next two batters to give Maryknoll two runs before getting pulled for Lii Pontes. The Warriors eventually got out of the inning, but not before Jarin Kobashigawa drove in the final run of the game.

"Unfortunately our pitchers didn't do what we needed to today," said Perkins. "We've been pretty good about keeping ourselves in there, but Maryknoll is a hitting team. They did a good job at the plate and they played a great game. They were the better team."

Reach Michael Lasquero at [email protected].