Michael Lasquero | ScoringLive
March 14, 2019, 8:32am
Kaluna's big day powers Kaimuki over Kahuku
Kaimuki's Kaulana Kaluna Jr. throws a pitch to plate against Kahuku in the top of the first inning. Michael Lasquero | SLKAIMUKI — Kaulana Kaluna Jr. got it done on both sides of the ball Wednesday afternoon.
The 5-foot-9 junior scattered two hits in a complete game effort to power Kaimuki to a 5-1 win over visiting Kahuku in the Bulldogs' OIA Division II season opener.
Kaluna, a right-handed pitcher that bats left, also went 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs and a solo home run while tossing five strikeouts in the victory.
William Paia also drove in two runs in a three-run second inning to give Kaimuki (1-0) the early advantage. Koby Moananu reached on an error to start the frame and Sione Taufa drew a walk to put the Bulldogs' first two runs on the bases. Paia also came home in the bottom of the second inning on Kaluna's first hit of the day.
Kaimuki plated its first earned run of the game in the third inning when they loaded the bases with no outs after Moananu's bunt attempt landed for a hit. After a force out at home, Jonah Faasoa got beaned to bring Dennis Trotter home for the Bulldogs' fourth run of the game.
Kahuku (0-2) responded in the next half-inning when leadoff hitter McKenna Cameron had a double that went deep into the left-center gap. Keola Bailey brought him home one batter later for the Red Raiders' first run of the season.
The score would remain at 4-1 until Kaluna added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth with his solo blast.
Cypress Abraham was the game's losing pitcher. He allowed five hits and four scores, but only one run was earned.
Shortstop Maximus LaGrass finished the game on the mound for the Red Raiders after taking to the mound after one out in the fifth inning.
The Bulldogs' next game is a road trip to Waialua (0-1) on Friday afternoon while Kahuku travels to McKinley (1-0) Saturday morning.
