PAHOA — The Waiakea High School varsity baseball team defeated Pahoa High School 11-1 on Saturday.
The Warriors scored three runs in the top of the first inning. After Waiakea’s leadoff was put out by a throw from second-baseman Landon Haili to Donivan Lynch at first, Kaleb Wada singled and stole second. Clemson Julian singled to bat in Wada, then the four-hole was put out by another pass from Haili to Lynch. Isaiah Justo hit a RBI double, followed by another RBI double by Gavin Nishida. A flyout to Haili ended the top first.
The Daggers responded with a run in the bottom first. Leadoff Shane Sale-Silva walked, then stole second and third before the two-hole was struck out by Loren Iwata. Lynch singled, but an error allowed him to reach third and Sale-Silva to cross the plate. Iwata notched another strikeout, then a putout at first by Julian closed out the frame.
Pahoa managed to shut the Warriors out in the top second. Toren Segovia singled, but the following batter grounded to pitcher Tripp Kahsen — who passed to Lynch at first for the first out. A flyout and another putout at first ensured that no more Waiakea batters would touch base during the inning.
In the bottom second, the Daggers went down even faster. Brayden Tolle singled — but a flyout, a putout at first and another strikeout by Iwata left him on second.
With two outs on the board, it looked like the Warriors could be shut out again in the top third. A strikeout by Kahsen and a putout at first put pressure on Justo, who then hit a solo homer to left field.
After shutting Pahoa out again, Waiakea scored two more runs in the top fourth — boosted by Devin Garza’s RBI triple.
The Warriors notched their third consecutive shutout in the bottom fourth, then scored another run in the top fifth to establish their lead at 7-1.
One more shutout later, Waiakea notched four runs in the top sixth to leave the Daggers far behind. A bottom-sixth double-play ended the game.
Justo went three-for-three with a walk, four runs, a homer, a double and a single to lead the Warriors in the box.
Iwata pitched five innings, notching five strikeouts and allowing three hits and a walk. Ivor Brooks pitched the final inning and struck out one batter before the game-ending double-play.
Brandon Tolle led the daggers at bat, going one-for-one with a hit-by-pitch. Lynch went one-for-two with a walk.
The Warriors will host Ka‘u at 3 p.m. tomorrow for their next match-up.
The Daggers will play at Kamehameha Schools – Hawai‘i, also at 3 p.m. tomorrow.