With the score tied at 8-8 in the bottom of the seventh inning, Pearl City’s Matt Aribal stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and a golden opportunity to win the ball game with the stroke of his bat. That’s exactly what the young sophomore shortstop did. Aribal drilled a one out RBI single into center field that scored Dillion Kaneshiro from third base to lift the Chargers over Aiea 9-8 yesterday at Pearl City High School.
The win improved the Chargers to 4-0 and atop the Oahu Interscholastic Association Western Division varsity baseball standings. Aiea 2-1 suffered their first loss of the regular season.
Trenton Darley picked up the win pitching one inning, allowing no runs, no hits with two strikeouts. Trestan Nakamura got the start pitching four innings allowing five runs on five hits with no strikeouts and one walk. Carson Okada pitched two innings in relief allowing three runs on two hits with one strikeout and one walk.
Ty Matsunami took the loss for the Na Ali'i pitching 2/3 innings and allowing four runs on five hits with three walks. Jake Saum got the start pitching 5 2/3 innings allowing five runs on two hits with six strikeouts and seven walks.
Aiea was cruising along with a 5-2 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth inning when Pearl City bats woke up and exploded on the Na Ali'i scoring six runs to take a 8-5 lead after six complete innings of play.
Aiea came back with three runs in the top of the seventh inning on a bases loaded 3-RBI double by Jarred Uyeda that tied the ball game at 8-8.
Pearl City entered the bottom of the seventh inning determined to end the ball game and avoid extra innings. With the Chargers dugout on their feet and the fans rocking in the bleachers, Matt Aribal walked to the plate with an air of complete confidence. The Chargers were in a great position to score with Aribal at bat, one out, the bases loaded, Dillion Kaneshiro parked at third base, and Colby Hirano on deck. There couldn't be a better scenario than that. One sweet swing, in classic Matt Aribal style, drove in Kaneshiro for the 9-8 victory.
The Chargers return to action on the road on Wednesday, March 16 against Leilehua at Fred Wright Park. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00pm.
GO CHARGERS!
@ Pearl City High School
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Aiea (2-1) 0 2 2 1 0 0 3 8 7 2
Pearl City (4-0) 2 0 0 0 0 6 1 9 7 3
Leading Hitters:
Aiea – Ty Matsunami 2-4, 2 runs; Jarred Uyeda 2-3, Run, 3RBI, 2B; Logan Ho 1-3, Run, RBI; Makana Fujiyama-Tauaia 2-4, Run, RBI.
Pearl City – Davin Kapuras 2-4, 3RBI; Christian Onomura 1-3; Trenton Darley 1-4, Run; Kaleb Nishijo 1-3; Matt Aribal 2-3, Run, 3RBI.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Matt Aribal came through in the clutch ripping a game winning RBI single in the bottom
of seventh that scored Dillion Kaneshiro to break a 8-8 tie and go up 9-8 for the win.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Dillion Kaneshiro steps on home plate scoring the Chargers winning run.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Trenton Darley pitched the seventh inning in relief for the Chargers to earn the win.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Jake Saum got the start for the Na Ali'i pitching 5 2/3 innings in a no decision.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Logan Lo drives in Ty Matsunami to put the Na Ali'i up 3-2 in the top of the third inning.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Ty Matsunami scores on logan Lo's third inning RBI single.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Davin Kapuras smacked a 2 RBI single in the bottom of the sixth inning
that scored Matt Aribal and Colby Hirano to put the Chargers up over
The Na Ali'i 8-5. Kapuras went 2-4 with 3 RBI in the Chargers win.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Matt Aribal scores to put the Chargers up 7-5.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Colby Hirano scores behind Aribal in the Chargers six-run bottom of the sixth inning rally.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Jarred Uyeda slammed a bases loaded 3-RBI double in the top of the seventh inning that
tied the game at 8-8. Bronson Nekomoto, Kobe Kato, and Ty Matsunami scored on the play.