WAIMEA — The Honokaa High School varsity baseball team notched a 19-2 victory over Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy on Saturday afternoon.
Hawaii Prep scored in the bottom of the first inning when Sam Faiola singled with a RBI. A walk with the bases loaded put up another point for Ka Makani.
“We came out flat,” HHS head coach Devin Joaquin said, “but the boys picked up runs quickly.”
At the top of the third inning, the Dragons trailed 2-1.
Kinohi Lindsey hit a bases-clearing, line-drive triple to center field to take the lead. Lindsey then crossed home plate on a wild pitch, ad did CJ Sanchez during the next at-bat. UH-Manoa commit and reigning BIIF DII Player of the Year Aiden Joaquin stepped up to the plate and hit a grand slam to increase Honokaa’s lead to 10-2.
The Dragons left HPA in the dust with a nine-run fourth inning.
The inning was highlighted by singles from Josyah Umeda, and Joaquin, walks by Lindsey and Sanchez, a sac fly by He’olu Bertelmann-Makanani and a double by Tallin Cazimero.
Joaquin pitched 1.66 innings to earn the win for Honokaa, allowing no hits or runs — fanning three and walking one.
He also led his team in the box, going three-for-four with three runs and six RBI — and led in stolen bases with three.
Arel Urbanozo took the loss on the mound for Hawaii Prep.
The pitcher allowed ten runs on four hits over 2.66 innings, striking out five.
“It felt nice to finally get on track,” coach Joaquin said. “Before, we lost some tough games against Konawaena and Hilo.”
On Saturday morning, Ka Makani will play away at Kamehameha Schools – Hawai‘i.
Now 2-3, the Dragons will host Waiakea High School at 1 p.m. this Saturday afternoon.
“We’ll need to tighten up our defense,” coach Joaquin said.
“We’ve had some costly errors, but we’re starting to get a lot better.”