Marauders blank Golden Hawks to keep playoff hopes alive

Brian Bautista | SL

Kamden Takanobu drove in two runs and Reysen Benigno tossed five scoreless innings to help Waipahu to a 4-0 win over Nanakuli Saturday.

The Marauders (2-8) tallied 11 hits to notch their second win in three games and keep their playoff hopes alive.

Benigno scattered four hits and a walk and registered two strikeouts before he gave way to Kawika Mendoza for the final two innings. Benigno also had an RBI-double to help his own cause.

Mason Salausa-Galletes (2 for 4, double, run) and Callan Okada (2 for 4, double, RBI) also paired hits for Waipahu.

Donald Kapaku took the loss for Nanakuli. He was charged with three runs and 10 hits. Kapaku struck out five batters and walked none in six innings of work. He batted 2 for 3 to lead Nanakuli offensively.

The Golden Hawks (4-6) suffered their second straight loss and sit in fifth place in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I West standings.

Waipahu sits 1 1/2 games behind Leilehua for the sixth and final playoff spot.

The Marauders close out the regular season against Campbell (6-4) and Mililani (7-3) next week, while Nanakuli will take on the Trojans Wednesday before they visit Pearl City (4-6) Saturday.

The top six teams in both the Eastern and Western Divisions will qualify for the 12-team OIA D1 tournament, which runs Apr. 23-26.