Moanalua bounces back with 10-4 win over Kaiser


Moanalua's Ryne Oshiro slides safely into second as Kaiser's Jace Okamoto goes airborne. Oshiro was 2 for 4 on the afternoon with two runs scored and two stolen bases. Brien Ing | SL

Moanalua scored nine unanswered runs after the third inning to blitz host Kaiser, 10-4 in an Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I East contest Wednesday afternoon.

Skyler Yamamoto came in for relief for Moanalua starter Brandon Ikehara and pitched four and one-third inning with three strikeouts against one hit to help Na Menehune snap a two-game losing streak and improve to 6-3.

"We definitely needed to come out with this win," said Yamamoto. "Every one in the East is strong, it's been a battle every game."

Kaiser, who dropped to 3-6, jumped out to an early 2-0 lead after the first inning. Moanalua scored once in the top of the third before the Cougars plated two more runs in the bottom of the frame. Na Menehune was able to take the lead for good with a six-run fourth inning and never looked back.

The visitors were able to take advantage of three Kaiser errors and totaled 13 hits en route to 10 runs, the most they have scored since a 14-4 win over Castle on March 19.

"We tried to be aggressive today and swing the bat," said Moanalua coach Scott Yamada. "We didn't want them to be taking a lot of pitches, that was a key. We were able to bunt some hits together and we were just lucky."

Jarred Soriano spearheaded the offense going 3 for 4 with two runs scored and an RBI. Other players with multiple hits include Dilan Casupang, Ryne Oshiro and Mark Kitano-Maguire.

Justin Paaaina came in for relief of Kaiser starter Kennedy Chun during the third inning and was charged with the loss.

Kainoa Torres led the Cougars' effort at the plate, batting 2 for 4 with a solo home run and two runs.