Moanalua's Adam Tanoue slides into home plate to score a run against Kalani. Evan Asato | SL

Purchase image 1 of 1

KAHALA—Moanalua scored seven unanswered runs in the final two innings to take down Kalani, 8-6 in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I East regular season finale at Kahala Park on Saturday afternoon.

The win ensures the Na Menehune (7-5) the third seed and will host the opening round against Radford (3-9) in next week's OIA playoffs. The Falcons (7-5) finished fourth in the OIA East and will play Waipahu (4-7-1).

"I hope we can use that energy in a positive manner and keep on going into next week," said Moanalua coach Scott Yamada.

Adam Tanoue went 2-for-3 and scored two runs for the Na Menehune and Kekaulike Kalua went 2-for-3 and an RBI.

Moanalua trailed 6-1 until finding life in the top of the sixth inning. Matthew Beall walked Mark Kitano-Maguire to start off and Adam Tanoue singled. Nicholas Enrico singled allowing Kitano-Maguire to score and Tanoue moved to second and then scored off a wild pitch.
Kekaulike Kalua's RBI single brought in Enrico to make it, 6-4.

"We didn't hit the ball really hard. We found a hole here and there and capitalized on certain mistakes," said Yamada.

Kalani went with a pitching change bringing in Harrison Moy. Moy walked Kaz Tachino and Cody Azuma singled to left field to bring in Dane Nishimura. Moy consecutively walked Cody Isa and Andrew Oasay to allow Tachino to score to tie the game at 6. Kitano-Maguire reached on a fielder's choice as Azuma scored to give Moanalua a 7-6 lead.

"Give them credit, they came up with the hits," said Kalani coach Shannon Hirai.

The Na Menehune added another run in the top of the seventh as Andrew Nava scored on an error by Jarryn Wee to make it, 8-6.

Lau was hit by a pitch to start off the bottom of the seventh inning, but Moanalua clamped down to get the next three outs to end the game.

"It was crucial we showed some life and boys came through, it wasn't pretty but they got the job done," said Yamada.

Kalani scored early in the bottom of the second as Payton Awaya's sacrifice fly brought in Reece Kakugawa. Kakugawa pitched four innings, striking out four, walking four and allowing one hit.

Kakugawa's RBI single to centerfield in the third brought in Jarryn Wee and Hunter Lau brought in Reyn Shitanishi for another run. Shitanishi 2RBI home run in the fourth to put the Falcons up, 6-1. He went 1-for-3 and scored two runs.

"We hit the ball when we needed to and everything was running smoothly, but that's been our problem this is the second time we had a good lead, but couldn't hold onto it. The basic thing is we have to be able to finish games," said Hirai.

The Na Menehune went through six pitchers for the game and rotated three in the third inning. Moanalua had seven runners left on base while Kalani had nine.

"The plan for no pitcher to throw more than two innings and to give guys an opportunity. In the end it came our way, luckily," said Yamada.

"It's a learning process and the regular season we put ourselves in a position to make the playoffs. I told the kids after the game we have to forget this, the season starts brand new next week and we have to learn to finish games. Hopefully we can put a full game together like we did against Kailua," said Hirai.