Kamehameha’s Justyce Ishii pitched a five-inning, TKO-induced no-hitter on Monday at Keaau, and Cougars assistant Blayne Sato said his players deserve a ton of credit for making it happen.
It’s not what you might think.
Sato wasn’t deriding Keaau’s play in the 10-0 loss, but rather lauding the Cougars for hustling to get the water-logged field ready and playable for the first time this season after two rainouts.
In fact, Sato wondered if Keaau might have expended too much time and concentration playing grounds crew to make sure the game got in, sapping their energy once it was time to play ball.
No excuses, he said, and the Cougars might have to play dual roles again Wednesday when they are scheduled to host Waiakea.
On Monday, the Warriors (5-0) scored two runs in the third and broke open the game in the fourth inning as their first seven batters reached, including singles by Kalei Ili (2 for 2), DallasJ Duarte (2 for 3), Kyran Kai, Bula Ahuna, Dustin Asuncion and Kaynen Tolentino. Ishii (2 for 4) followed with a two-run double and Ili’s second hit of the inning brought in two more runs and made the score 10-0.
Ishii faced just one batter over the minimum, walking Edward Oguma in the fourth and struck out five in what was the Warriors’ second no-hitter in seven days, albeit another shortened one. Kalani Marquez and Rydge Ishii combined to hold Hawaii Prep without a hit March 6 in 10-0 six-inning TKO.
Keaau (0-3), meanwhile, went hitless for the second time this season. Hilo’s Donald Saltiban (four innings) and Sabu Kahee shared in a no-no March 6 at Wong Stadium.
Oguma was the losing pitcher Monday, allowing six hits and six runs (four earned) in three innings with four walks.
