Falcons stave off Na Menehune, 5-4

Kalani's Kohl Suehiro celebrates with Micah Kawano after scoring a run in the bottom of the first inning. Michael Lasquero | SL

SALT LAKE — The Falcons capitalized on errors to stave off the Na Menehune for a 5-4 win in a pivotal Oahu Interscholastic Association East Division matchup Saturday afternoon at Moanalua High School.

The win moves Kalani (8-2) back up to being tied for first place with Kailua (8-2) while Moanalua (6-4) stays in place at third in the OIA East standings.

Saturday's game was played at Moanalua High School because Kalani's home field at Kahala Park is still undergoing construction.

Moanalua drove in three of its four runs with two outs in the inning while Kalani also scored three times with two away.

In top of the first, quadruple singles from Kamuela Labasan, Andrew Oasay, Skyler Yamamoto and Tyler Trim cumulated in a run scored. Then with bases loaded, Zak Tachino drew a walk on a full count to bring another run home.

Starting off the bottom frame, Moanalua starting pitcher Noah Kang gave up back-to-back walks before being replaced by Christian Capinia. The walks proved to be costly as Bronson Matsumoto's single brought in both runners to tie the game up.

In the third inning, Capinia was able to induce two outs before an error by third baseman Trim allowed Kalani's Kohi Suehiro to score to go up by one run.

Half an inning later and it was Zak Tachino getting it started for Na Menehune with a single followed by an RBI-double to right field from Alex Heacox. On two outs, Cody Isa singled to left field to bring Heacox across the plate.

With two outs and a man on third base in the bottom fifth, a passed ball allowed Kalani's Zachary Wong to score an equalizer run once again.

Kalani scored the go-ahead run an inning later on a two-out error made by Moanalua right fielder Heacox.

Both teams will have two games remaining before the start of the OIA playoffs. Only the top six teams in each division will participate with the top six finishers in the playoffs earning bids into the HHSAA/Wally Yonamine Foundation Division I Baseball Championship tournament.

The Falcons will face No. 1 Kailua (April 5) and No. 5 Roosevelt (April 8) while Na Menehune will play No. 7 Kalaheo (April 5) and No. 1 Kailua (April 8) to close out the regular season.