Falcons outlast Rough Riders to extend win streak

Michael Lasquero | SL

Kalani scored multiple runs in three different innings to earn its third straight win with a 7-4 victory over Roosevelt Saturday afternoon in a OIA Division-I East matchup at Stevenson Middle.

The Rough Riders (4-2) scored two unearned runs in the bottom of the first inning, but the Falcons (4-1) roared back with a solo homerun into the right-center field by Logan Ouchi to lead off the second inning. Back-to-back walks on the following plate appearances put run No. 2 and No. 3 on the bag. A throwing error on an ensuing bunt allowed Kadin Hanta to score the tying run and a bunt by Taichi Fujinaga put Kalani ahead, 3-2.

Roosevelt retook the lead in the bottom of the fourth after loading the bases with a pair of singles that was sandwiched by a hit by pitch. Tokujiro Wada-Goode drew a walk to score the tying run and a single by Jeff Spurling brought home Austin "Coop" Taniguchi to give the Rough Riders a 4-3 lead after four innings.

Kalani quickly responded in the top of the fifth with positive at bats on four consecutive plate appearances to take the lead for good with two runs. The Falcons also added two insurances run in the top of the seventh to keep Roosevelt at bay.

Dylan Weddle earned the win on the mound for Kalani. Despite allowing nine hits across four innings, he helped limit the damage with four strikeouts. Fujinaga came in relief of Weddle after the fourth and pitched three innings of shutout ball with four strikeouts to earn the save.

Xavier Pressley was tagged for the pitching loss for Roosevelt after taking over for starter Ayden Revera after the third inning.

Roosevelt recorded 11 total hits in the contest with Brayden Moy, Dominic Teixeira, Austin Taniguchi and Spurling picking up multiple hits on the day.