Cal Koga tossed a no-hitter in four innings pitched to help Kauai beat Konawaena. Michael Lasquero | SL

×

05071513_IMG_1380563.jpg - Michael Lasquero | SL

Purchase this image
4x5 5x7 8x10 image download

WAIPAHU — Kauai batted around the lineup in the fourth inning and rode the pitching of Cal Koga in its 14-1 win over Konawaena in the opening round of the Wally Yonamine Foundation/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division II Baseball Championships at Hans L'Orange Field Thursday morning.

The Red Raiders, winners of the Kauai Interscholastic Federation, will meet the winner between Maryknoll and Kapolei in an 10 a.m. semifinal game at Les Murakami Stadium Friday.

"This is what we've been looking for all year long and we looked good today" said Koga, who earned an All-Hawaii selection in 2014. "We hit the ball really well and played good defense. Hopefully we can take that momentum into the next game against Maryknoll or Kapolei because they are two really good teams and we look forward to playing them."

Koga tossed a no-hitter with three strikeouts against one walk in four innings of work before Micah Layosa came over from third to pitch the fifth and final inning.

Kauai was able to total up 14 total hits on the Wildcats' pitching staff of Shelton Grace, Logan Canda and Stevie Texeira.

"Pretty much all of my pitches were working so I just tried to throw strikes," said Koga. "Defense made some plays and the hitting just gave me the confidence boost that I needed.

Shortstop Shane Ogata got the Red Raiders going in the bottom of the second with a triple to center field. Catcher Patrick Esteban drove him in one run later for the first score of the game. Esteban, Kobey Dias and Layosa would also score runs in the inning to give Kauai a 4-0 lead heading into the third.

Canda replaced Grace on the mound in the bottom of the fourth and would face five straight batters before recording the first out. Canda gave up seven hits and 10 runs before Texeira came in to record the final two outs.

Tyler Kitaoka picked up Konawaena's first hit in the top of the fifth, and was brought home by Canda for the Wildcats' only score of the game.

Kauai will start Brayden Abreu or Ogata in its semifinal matchup Friday. Koga, who tossed no more than 50 pitches in the win over Konawaena, could also see some playing time on the mound.