Kalani's Taichi Fujinaga is hoisted by teammate Noa Uchida after recording a strikeout for the final out of the game in the 10th inning. Michael Lasquero | SL

×

_22050543_BASE_5_4_22_KLNIvsMAUI-2379.jpg - Michael Lasquero | SL

Purchase this image
4x5 5x7 8x10 image download

WAILUKU, Maui - The unassuming and soft-spoken Taichi Fujinaga pitched three scoreless innings of one-hit relief and drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th inning to lead Kalani over Maui, 2-1, Wednesday night in the opening round of the Wally Yonamine Foundation Division I state baseball tournament at Iron Maehara Stadium.

The Falcons (13-3) will play third-seeded Waiakea in a quarterfinal at 1:45 p.m. Thursday. The Sabers (8-7) will play Moanalua at 8:45 a.m. Friday in a consolation semifinal.

Maui starting pitcher Jonah Richardson and Kalani's starter Dylan Weddle dazzled in a classic pitchers' duel. Richardson threw 108 pitches in eight innings, allowing a walk, two hits and an unearned run while striking out 12 before giving way to Christopher Mata, who pitched the final two innings and allowed the go-ahead run in the 10th.

Weddle used 100 pitches in seven innings, allowing a run and six hits with three strikeouts and no walks. Fujinaga picked up where Weddle left off by adding three scoreless innings, allowing a hit and a walk with three strikeouts before his offense gave him the lead.

"Superb, both side," Kalani coach Reyn Nagamine said of the pitchers' duel. "Offensively, it was such a battle, but credit goes to all the guys. Maui's such a great program. Our guys battled. Couldn't any more proud of them."

But was Fujinaga's performance on the mound and as the ninth batter in the lineup. He labored up until his final at-bat having gone hitless in his previous three at-bats.

"He's been a strong one for us all year," Nagamine said. "He's not a loud guy. He works hard. He's a great leader. He's very calm and that's impressive. I'm at a loss for words."

In the top of the 10th, Jase Fujiawa led off with a walk off Mata. After taking second on a wild pitch, he was lifted for pinch runner Noa Uchida, who then took third on Koki Hayashi's sacrifice. Fujinaga then lined a 1-1 pitch to score Uchida and break the 1-all game. His courtesy runner was picked off and Christian Chinen grounded out to the pitcher to end the inning.

"I was so nervous, but I want to end this game," Fujinaga said of his at-bat. "Dylan (Weddle) did a hell of a job so I want to help him."

Maui took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Zachary Dando led off with a single, stole second and scored an out later on Kahiau Teruya's single to center.

Kalani tied the game in the fifth. Kadin Hanta walked, took second on a wild pitch and scored on a throwing error by shortstop Ky-mani Corpuz. But Richardson retired the next two batters to keep the game even.