OIA Baseball
Mililani cashes in on Saber miscues in 4-2 win


 

Wed, Apr 13, 2011 @ [ 3:30 pm ]


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Mililani 121482
Campbell 11283





'EWA BEACH-Mililani took advantage of late-inning errors by Campbell in a 4-2 win Wednesday at the Sabers' field.

The win puts the Trojans (8-3) a half game in front of second-place Pearl City (7-3) in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red West, which ends regular season play Saturday for most teams. The playoffs start Wednesday.

"This was huge," Mililani coach Mark Hirayama said. "This gives us either one or two in the West. That first-round bye is always big."

The top two teams from the East and West draw first-round byes in the 12-team OIA tournament. The top six teams earn Division I state tournament berths.

Pearl City close the regular season Saturday with a doubleheader against 'Aiea.

With the game tied at 1 in the top of the sixth, Reid Uyehara reached on an error, took second on a sacrifice, went to third on a fly out to center and scored on Wade Taoka's line double to the left-center alley. Courtesy runner Chad Uyehara scored on Jamasson Madrid's single to the same gap to make it 3-1.

The Sabers pulled to 3-2 in the bottom of the sixth. Jaris Flora singled with one out and pinch runner Rayven Kahana took second when Paul Arakaki reached on an error to put runners at first and second. After pinch hitter Jasten Smeigh struck out, Donato Gallano's ground single to right scored Kahana.

But the Trojans insured their lead with a run in the seventh. Dustyn Cook reached on a one-out error, took third on Troy Yoshizawa's single and scored when Reid Uyehara grounded to second for a force at second.

Campbell's rally was smothered after Po'okela Ka'alekahi led off with an infield single up the middle. But after Cole Nagamine flied out to center, Kaeo Kapana lined out to second and courtesy runner Garrett Vaughn was doubled off to end the game.

Robert Kahana pitched a complete game for the Sabers, allowing four runs, but only one earned, eight hits and one walks, while striking out six.

Kanoa Hironaka allowed an unearned run in 2 1/3 innings of relief, allowing three hits and striking out two. Starter Cristian Namoca went toe-to-toe with the Sabers' ace, allowing a run, five hits and three walks with four strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings.

Mililani struck first in the top of the third. Ekolu Ramos reached on a bunt single to third with one out, took third on Cook's double and scored when Yoshizawa grounded out to second.

But Campbell tied it in the fourth. Nagamine led off with a ground double down the left-field line. Kapana reached on a bunt single to third and Nagamine scored on the third baseman's throwing error.

While the Sabers' hopes for the division title are lost, they are pleased knowing they at least qualified for the OIA tournament. They close the regular season Friday with a continuation of the series with Mililani in a game that will be televised on OC 16.

"For me, the goal was getting into the playoffs and start playing better baseball," Campbell coach Rory Pico said. "We achieved the first part, but as far as playing better baseball, I think mentally, we're having a lot better success. We made some physical mistakes today that cost us.

"But anything can happen. You get in the playoffs, you get hot at the right time, anything can happen."

Pico told his players not sweat about not getting the first-round bye for the playoffs.

"Just think of it getting to play an extra game," Pico said. "If we just take that approach, we'll be OK."


Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at [email protected].



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