Kamehameha had two of the three key parts (pitching, defense, and hitting) working, and that was enough to handle Konawaena, which couldn’t stop beating itself.
The Warriors managed just three hits but still defeated the Wildcats 6-1 in Game 1 of the BIIF Division II championships series on Friday at Wong Stadium, scoring six unearned runs on six Konawaena errors.
Kamehameha (15-1) plays Konawaena (9-7) in Game 2 at 3 p.m. Saturday at Wong for its seventh straight BIIF title. If necessary, Game 3 will be held at 3 p.m. Monday at Wong.
The Warriors had the pitching part down cold, with Tai Atkins going six strong innings of survival ball, and committed one harmless error.
Atkins gave up one run on eight hits and one walk and struck out six. The junior left-hander finished with 89 pitches in his longest outing of the season. Rydge Ishii finished up with a scoreless inning.
“In the beginning, I felt a little off, like something was not working well,” Atkins said. “But as the game progressed, my energy picked up, and when it came down to important times I felt a lot better.”
Bryce Furuli batted 2 for 3 with an RBI to lead the Warriors, who left six on base and struck out just once.
“We hit the ball hard but right at guys,” Kamehameha coach Andy Correa said. “But when you have pitching and play defense, anything can happen. When you put men on and put on pressure, something good can happen.”
Konawaena starter Andrew Udac went 4 2/3 innings and allowed six runs (all unearned) on three hits and four walks and struck out one. The senior right-hander deserved a much better fate but accomplished a tactical victory for coach Adam Tabieros.
Udac is the No. 3 starter, finished with 105 pitches and saved his team’s pitching arsenal. Senior ace pitcher Kolu Alani threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings and tossed only 15 pitches. He’s eligible to pitch on Saturday as well as No. 2 pitcher Stevie Medeiros.
Udac batted 2 for 3 with an RBI, and Bronson Rivera went 2 for 3 to lead the Wildcats, who left nine on base.
Atkins never had a smooth ride from the start and didn’t retire the side in order. The Wildcats tagged him for a run in the third inning, set up by a freebie. No. 8 batter Boaz Ayers walked on four pitches, was erased on Jake Basque’s fielder’s choice, and leadoff hitter Rivera followed with an infield single.
Udac followed the same hitting strategy as Rivera. He got ahead in the count and went the opposite way to right field for an RBI single and 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the third, the Warriors tied it 1-1 on an unearned run, helped by two errors and a wild pitch. Kyran Kai reached on an outfield error, took third on an infield error and scored on a wild pitch.
Konawaena missed a golden chance to get on the scoreboard in the fifth with two on and no out. Rivera and Udac hit consecutive singles, but No. 3 batter Alani popped up a bunt that third baseman La’a Asuncion caught. Then Atkins struck out the next two hitters.
The bottom of the fifth turned ugly for Konawaena. The Warriors scored five runs on three errors, two walks, and a hit by pitch. It was a defensive disaster, and Kamehameha had just one hit in the frame.
Kai led off with a walk, was sacrificed to second and Bula Ahuna was hit by a pitch. Kekona Naipo-Arsiga reached on an infield error to load the bases. Brycen Nakata reached on an infield error, which scored two runs.
Furuli followed with an RBI single, which scored another unearned run. Atkins had an RBI groundout to score another unearned run. Then No. 9 hitter Kalai Klask-Hoopii walked, and DallasJ Duarte reached on the third infield error to bring home the fifth unearned run for a 6-1 cushion.
Correa is not expecting that type of generosity again.
“We have to hit with men on and execute a little better on Saturday,” he said.
Konawaena 001 000 0 — 1 9 6
Kamehameha 001 050 x — 6 3 1