OIA East leading Kaiser outlasts Kailua to win fifth straight

Rayden Aoki | SL

Senior Day was a successful one for Kaiser, as they took down Kailua, 2-1, and now sit atop the OIA Division I East standings.

The win also marked the fifth in a row for the surging Cougars, and avenged its only league blemish suffered at Kailua, a 5-1 loss on March 12.

Both teams managed a score in the third inning, as Rayvin Pagan's triple brought in Devon Ishigo to put Kailua on the board first, while Caleb Hamasaki was able to bring in Noah Sham for Kaiser on a fielder's choice to even the score.

In the seventh, the Cougars loaded the bases. Jackson Wood's base hit to left field, Noah Sham's double along the left foul line, and an intentional walk on Hayzen Inouye put Kaiser in prime position to put the game away.

A Kailua passed ball that hit the dirt and went out of play allowed Wood to touch home base, sealing the deal for the Cougars.

Kaiser starter Bryson Toner helped lead the way with his performance on the mound.

On multiple occasions, Surfrider runners on 2nd and 3rd were foiled by the senior's pitching. It was about "trusting my own abilities," Toner said. "I put inthe work, I know I'm capable. You just got to be aggressive on the mound."

Toner allowed just one run on three hits in a complete game outing. He walked just one batted and struck out ten.

Kailua's Zayne Hookala also had a strong outing, putting in six innings of work, allowing one run on four hits, striking out seven with just one walk.

For the last few games before the playoffs, Toner emphasized "staying true to ourselves, and playing good baseball."

In the final weeks of the regular season, the Cougars will face Moanalua and Roosevelt with the league playoffs looming. By the numbers, Kaiser can clinch the top seed by winning one of its last two games, and can finish no less than tied atop the division regardless.