KEAAU – Coach Herb Yasuhara has seen Keaau mount bigger comebacks under his watch, but it could be argued that few, if any, might be as beneficial in the long term as this one.
KEAAU – Coach Herb Yasuhara has seen Keaau mount bigger comebacks under his watch, but it could be argued that few, if any, might be as beneficial in the long term as this one.
Edward Oguma, one of the primary architects of Saturday’s rally, didn’t have to be convinced.
“Greatest game I’ve played (in),” he said.
If seeing is believing, then the young Cougars should have gained plenty of faith in themselves after they scored six runs in the seventh inning, snatching victory from Honokaa for a 9-8 win in a BIIF baseball game at their field.
“This is good for the kids because it shows that it ain’t over till it’s over,” Yasuhara said. “If you believe in the something, then it will happen.
He said the victory could help rid the team of the “Puna attitude.”
“I hate to say it, but it’s a mentality where everything is against us,” Yasuhara added.
Seemingly everything went in favor of Keaau (1-1) in the top of the seventh – the Dragons (0-2) were the home team because they were originally supposed to host the game – as the Cougars loaded the bases on two singles and a hit batter with one out.
Anson Kauwe brought in a run with a grounder that was misplayed for an error, and Oguma’s two-run double to left field made the score 8-6. Kauwe scored on Bryant Respicio-Mercado’s ground out, and four consecutive walks – to Dylan Kamakea, Anthony Carlos, Rickey Rapoza and Chris Mamone – gave Keaau the the lead.
“We played as a family,” Oguma said. “Some of us thought we could get through it. We tried to pick each other up.”
Kauwe, Keaau’s only senior with appreciable baseball experience, retired the side in order in the bottom half of the seventh, working three innings in relief of Oguma.
The Dragons went ahead during a four-run fifth inning, highlighted by Antonio Molina’s two-run double. Caden Perreira and Canen Perreira each hit RBI singles in the sixth.
Canen Perreira struck out seven batters in five innings. Molina drove in three runs, and Paki Akau, Caden Perreira and Mckade Schara each finished with two hits.
Saying his coaches will have to “coach their butts off this year,” Yasuhara hopes to see a more consistent mental approach from his players going forward.
“We were up 3-0 and everything was all good,” Yasuhara said. “Then the energy got down, and now it’s back up again.”
Keaau’s only offense before the seventh came in its first at-bat. Oguma hit an RBI single, and in what was foreshadowing of things to come, Kamakea and Dayton Fernandez each drew bases-loaded walks.
“We can look back and play more as a team now,” Oguma said.
Keaau 300 000 6 – 9 8 1
Honokaa 002 042 0 – 8 10 1