KAILUA-KONA — The Kealakehe bats exploded Friday, and they needed every single run as the Waveriders out-slugged and outlasted visiting Honokaa 11-10.
KAILUA-KONA — The Kealakehe bats exploded Friday, and they needed every single run as the Waveriders out-slugged and outlasted visiting Honokaa 11-10.
Kealakehe lost its lead three times in the game — and nearly a fourth — over the final five innings because of defensive errors and control issues on the hill, but the bats did not disappoint.
“Defensively I can handle the physical mistakes, but the mental mistakes — not being in the right spot, not throwing to the right base — nearly cost us,” said Kealakehe head coach Josh Hansen. “We are still swinging a pretty good bat and Honokaa made some errors, which really helped us out, but overall we have to clean up our defense.”
The bats led the Waveriders to a four run lead in the bottom of the first inning, led by a 2-run home run off the bat of Markus Degrate. The ball sailed over the left field fence, scoring Bryton Lewi. After an infield single and a walk, Pulama Lewis singled up the middle, scoring Shaden Lewi and Dustin Waiau.
The Kealakehe defense cruised though the first two innings behind pitcher Pohaku Dela Cruz and it looked like the Waveriders were in for an easy night.
The Dragons had other plans.
In the top of the third, Honokaa pushed six runs across the plate. Kamaehu Richards knocked in two runners with a double into the left-center gap. Later, Nainoa Falk picked up a 2-RBI single to center to tie the game. Falk stole second and third, then scored on an Antonio Molina single to right, after an Elijah Carvalho walk. Carvalho scored the sixth run on a wild pitch.
The Waveriders bounced back with two runs in the bottom of the inning. Dela Cruz walked and an infield error put runners on the corners with one out. Shaden Lewi was caught off the bag at first but reached second safely. Dela Cruz scored on the play. Lewi then scored on a Hunter Cuaresma single to right.
Honokaa jumped back on top in the fourth. A bunt single and a walk led to a two RBI double to center by Carvalho that put the Dragons up 8-6.
The fourth lead change of the game came in the bottom of the inning. Kealakehe loaded the bases off an error, a walk and bloop single to left. Cuaresma doubled into the gap in left-center, clearing the bases for a 9-8 advantage and giving him five RBI’s over a two inning span.
The Waveriders added two more runs to their lead in the bottom of the fifth. After two walks, Degrate doubled to left, scoring two runs.
Honokaa took advantage of control issues by Kealakehe relief pitcher Makana Kaluau in the fifth, scoring two runs off four walks and one hit batter. Shaden Lewi relieved Kaluau and escaped a bases loaded jam with a strikeout and groundout to short.
Kealakehe failed to pick up any insurance runs in the top of the sixth, but Shaden Lewi held the Dragons scoreless in the top of the seventh for the 11-10 win. Lewi picked up the save and Kaluau earned the win. Starter Dela Cruz took a no-decision. Kilipaki took the loss on the hill for Honokaa.
Honokaa 006 202 0 —10 7 4
Kealakehe 402 320 x — 11 8 4