Pitching, defense help Kailua shutdown Kalani in regular season finale

Brien Ing | SL

It was far from a flashy win, buit it seems like that's just the way Zayne Hookala and the Surfriders like it best.

Kailua parlayed 12 base hits into seven runs to back five pitchers en route to a two-hit shutout over Kalani, sending off six seniors in style.

"It's what we've been working on, not needing to hit the home run, staying true to our approach and hitting singles, trying to get on base is the main thing," said Hookala of today's effort against the Falcons.

Starter Kaalekahi Kuhaulua pitched three strong innings, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out five. The outing was the longest of the season for the sophomore pitcher.

"He hasn't been throwing as much during the season but he came out today and showed up," said Hookala of Kuhaulua making the start.

Kuhaulua was happy with his outing as well.

"I actually felt really good today, during warm up I felt really loose," he said. "My slider was working good, I couldn't really find my changeup but besides that it just my fastball."

In that opening stretch, the Surfriders quietly racked up five runs on seven hits and two walks. By game's end, all but one hitter amongst the starting nine reached base at least once, led by Kalama Carreira's 3 for 4 day at the plate as well as a 2 for 2 performance by Brandon Moore.

Following Kuhaulua, the home team handed a different pitcher the ball in each inning, with DJ Kauahi, Hookala, Jayden Hunt and Rayvin Pagan each getting an inning of work in.

"It helps that we have like six guys that are all equally as good," said Hookala of the stable of pitchers on the roster.

Despite two errors in the contest for each team, defense was solid on both sides of the ball. A highlight play was definitely one made by Pagan, one of the six seniors, who had a spectacular leaping grab of what looked to be a sure single to end the fifth.

"I was just in the air, thought I had to make the play, and I did," said Pagan of the play.

The win over the Falcons locked up the second seed out of the East for the Surfriders, who finished one game behind division leading Kaiser in the standings. Kalani, the fifth seed in the upcoming league playoffs, fell to 4-6 as Roosevelt took down Kaiser, 8-4, to finish with a 5-5 mark.