Pearl City edges Kailua, 7-6, to reach league title game

Charger players celebrate a 7-6 win over Kailua. Brien Ing | SL

KAILUA - Pearl City blew a 6-0 lead, then scored on a bases-loaded walk in the top of the sixth inning yesterday to sneak past Kailua, 7-6, in O'ahu Interscholastic Association baseball semifinal action.

The Chargers improved to 10-4 in league play and advanced to today's 6:30 p.m. championship game against Moanalua (12-1-1) at Central O'ahu Regional Park. The game will be televised live statewide on OC16.

Pearl City has won the past four OIA title games; Na Menehune are seeking their first league crown.

"With a young team, you're going to get your highs and lows, but these guys have battled through and are coming together at the right time," said Mitch Yamato, the Chargers' first-year head coach. "And the main thing is, they're enjoying themselves."

Pearl City enjoyed early success yesterday, taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning after Tyler Tokunaga walked with one out, advanced to third base on Chevas Numata's double to right field and scored on Troy Barbosa-Scanlan's single to right.

The Chargers then added five runs in the second, highlighted by Numata's three-run homer over the left field fence but also aided by three walks, a wild pitch, passed ball and error.

The Surfriders (12-1-1) got a run in the bottom of the second after Alan Baldwin's triple and a passed ball, then closed it to 6-4 in the fourth after Eli Davidann's two-run homer over the right field fence and Alika Ramseyer-Ho's solo shot to nearly the same area.

Kailua tied it at 6-6 in the fifth on Kila Zuttermeister's two-run homer, also to right field.

But Pearl City took the lead back on the sixth when Troy Barbosa-Scanlan walked with the bases loaded.

The Surfriders threatened in the bottom of the seventh, after Bryson Dymond led off with an infield single and advanced to second on Ryan McMonigle's groundout. Zuttermeister, who was 3 for 3 with a double, home run and two RBIs, then hit a high, deep fly ball to right field.

Right fielder Kory Nakamura drifted toward the foul line and made a diving catch, with Dymond advancing to third.

Reliever Numata then got a fly ball to center field to end the game.

"When it came off the bat, I was hoping it would stay in the park," Nakamura said. "(Zuttermeister) is a good opposite-field hitter, so I was expecting the ball."

Numata and Kai Kealoha each finished 2 for 3. Dymond went 2 for 4.