A Kalani runner slides into home to score a run for the Falcons in a match against Kaiser. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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Jeshua Bitanga attempts to slide into first ahead of a Kalani baseman. Bitanga tallied up 2 hits and 1 run for Kaiser. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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Reece Kakugawa pitched for the first six innings allowing only 4 hits and 2 runs all while striking 7 out in a match against Kaiser. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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Led by a solid outing by starting pitcher Reece Kakugawa, Kalani improved to 4-2 to keep pace in the OIA East division race with a 4-2 win on the road over Kaiser.

Kakugawa went six strong innings, allowing just two runs (one earned) on four hits, striking out seven and walking three, before yielding to Dallas Asuncion, who pitched a perfect seventh to pick up the save.

Falcons' batters only managed two hits in the contest, but neither went to waste.

Asuncion drew a walk to open the game and then moved over to second after Sean Romo was hit by a pitch. Romo moved to second on a fielder's choice on a grounder hit by Ryan Sato, and then moved to third after a wild pitch thrown to Brandon Roberts.

Roberts' ground ball out brought home Romo for the game's opening run, setting the stage for Reyn Shitanishi who singled to right to bring home Sato and push the margin to 2-0.

"Getting that lead was real important for us," said Kalani head coach Shannon Hirai. "We haven't been swinging the bat very well so to get ahead was good."

The other hit for Kalani came in the top of the fourth, when Higa laced a line drive single to left field and later scored on an throwing error to make the score 3-0 in favor of the visitors.

Kaiser rallied in the last of the fifth, as Jeshua Bitanga got things started with a line shot single to left and then stole second to move into scoring position. Kamalu Simeona then drew a two-out walk and both runners moved up a bases following a wild pitch thrown to Kelan Yoshioka, who was then intentionally walked to load the bases.

Next up was Shawn Miyashiro, who drew the count to 3-1 before a wild pitch allowed Bitanga to score the first run of the inning. Miyashiro walked to bring up Austin, and a passed ball on the second pitch of the at-bat brought home Simeona to cozy the score up to 3-2.

Kalani got back a run in the top of the seventh as a passed ball by the Cougars allowed Asuncion to come home from third, to make the score 4-2. Asuncion got the ball in the seventh and struck out Simeona and Yoshioka swinging before getting Miyashiro to ground out to second to end the game.

Bitanga was 2-for-3 on the afternoon, both of them singles, and also stole two bases to lead the Cougars. Simeona started on the hill for the Cougars and went four innings, allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 2 hits. He struck out three and walked four.

The win moves Kalani into a tie with Roosevelt at 4-2, just a game back from Moanalua and Kailua, who are tied at the top of the league at 5-1. Kaiser dropped to 2-4 in league play.

"I wouldn't say that every game is a must-win, but its very competitive league so every game we play isn't going to be easy." said Hirai.

Six games remain in the regular season.