Campbell squeaks by Kaiser, 5-4, on Ramos' triple

Campbell is moving on in the Wally Yonamine Foundation/HHSAA Division I state tournament. CJ Caraang | SL

MANOA - Markus Ramos' pinch-hit triple scored Nicholas Sampson with the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth inning to help Campbell edge Kaiser, 5-4, Wednesday in the opening round of the Wally Yonamine Foundation Division I state baseball tournament at Les Murakami Stadium.

The No. 5 Sabers (15-1) will play fourth-seeded Hilo at 10 a.m. Thursday in the first quarterfinal of the day.

With the game tied at 4, Sampson led off with a single off relief pitcher Pono Lyman. Sampson took second on Todd Takahama's sacrifice and an out later, scored on Ramos' triple that lined off center fielder Noah Matsumoto's glove before Kekahi Reiny Aloy flied out to end the inning.

The Cougars made it interesting in the top of the seventh against Campbell relief pitcher Darien Robinson. With one out, Keoni Pangan doubled to center, but stayed there when Lincoln Lima hit a comebacker to Robinson. But Robinson hit Kainoa Craig with a pitch to put the go-ahead run on. But Antonio Omphroy grounded out to second to end the game.

Ayzek Silva allowed the tying run in the top of the sixth, but got credit for the win in one inning of relief of starter Jamin Kalaola, who went five-plus innings, allowing three runs and five hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Robinson was credited with a save.

Kaiser took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on an run-scoring triple by Craig, but Campbell tied it in the second on Roy Clemons-Diaz's sacrifice fly to left after a double steal by Sampson and courtesy runner Charles Monell.

The Sabers scored three in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI single by Shane Shimizu and two-run double by Ikaika Ganancial.