Kalani edges Kaiser to pick up first OIA win

Greg Yamamoto | SL

Kalani picked up their first win in dramatic fashion to defeat Kaiser, 3-2, in OIA East play at the Cougars' field.

Koy Yamaguchi came in the top of the seventh and singled to center. Cameron Kobayashi moved Dyson Murakami who came in to second on a sacrifice bunt. Ridge Kaneshiro walked before Kalehua Akaka flew out to center for the second out. Noa Dane Fujitani was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Murakami scored the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh on Jesse Shinagawa's wild pitch as the Falcons improved to 1-4.

Logan Ouchi struck out Taylin Oana and Kanoa Morisaki and Tanner Kagimoto flew out to right field to end the game.

The Cougars dropped to 2-3 on the season.

Kaiser went ahead in the bottom of the third inning on Kanoa Morisaki's sacrifice fly to score Oana.

Akaka hit a lead off double in the top of the fourth and scored on Noa Dane Fujitani's single to tie up the game at one.

Bryson Toner drew a leadoff walk to start the bottom of the fourth and Kolt Glipa came in as a courtesy runner. Glipa stole second then scored on Noah Sham's line drive to right field for a 2-1 lead.

Kalani would tie the game at the top of the fifth and facing two outs, Reeve Tanaka hit a fly ball to right field. Murakami came in as a courtesy runner and Cameron Kobayashi plated him.

Ouchi picked up the win and improved to 1-1 on the season. He pitched three innings, giving up no hits, and struck out five.

Shinagawa (0-2) was tagged with the loss. He pitched two innings, scattering two hits with an earned run and a walk.

Kalani faces Castle (3-2) on Mar. 29 while Kaiser goes to Kailua (5-0) on the same afternoon.

Both teams are scheduled to meet again on Apr. 19 at Kahala Field.