Behind a one-hit gem by pitcher Tristan DeAguiar, Konawaena shut out Hawaii Preparatory Academy 6-0 in a BIIF game on Monday in Kealakekua.
The Wildcats gave DeAguiar all the run support he would need in the first inning, pushing five runs across the plate. Only one Hawaii Prep batter reached base against the Konawaena pitcher, Finn Richmond, who made it to first twice, once on a single and once on an error.
“All his pitchers were working for him. He kept hitters off balance and forced a lot of ground balls,” said Konawaena coach Adam Tabieros. “The infield looked strong behind him and that one error was a tough play. The stuff was there and we gave up no free passes.”
Offensively, all but two Wildcat batters picked up a hit in the game. The team was led by the top of the order with Andrew Udac and Kolu Alani picking up two hits apiece.
“It was nice that they are able to set the tone, especially in the first inning,” Tabieros said. “The hits were coming all game, we just struggled to find that clutch hit, except for the first inning.”
DeAguiar allowed the only Hawaii Prep hit in the first inning, a single to center. In the bottom of the inning, Konawaena’s Udac and Alani led off with a pair of singles. Vohn Yamaguchi then doubled in both runners for a 2-0 advantage. Stevie Texiera also doubled, scoring the third run before the first out could be recorded.
With one out, Kanai Rivera reached on an error, allowing Texiera to score. Austin Ewing then scored courtesy runner Boaz Ayers on a single with two outs for a 5-0 lead.
Konawaena’s sixth run came in the bottom of the third inning when Kalya Leleiwi singled, moved around to third, and scored on a wild pitch.
“This was a pretty well played game from both sides,” Tabieros said .”Hawaii Prep was able to hit, we were just right there to make some good plays.”
The Wildcats totaled nine hits. Each team recorded one error.
DeAguiar threw all seven innings in a low 71 pitches. He walked none and struck out four.
Richmond took the loss for HPA. He allowed six runs, four earned, in two innings of work. He walked two and struck out three.
