MIL BASEBALL: LAHAINALUNA 4, Baldwin 3 – April 5, 2012

Senior Sosaia Moala had fun arranging the helmets into "L" formation,
complete with gloves representing the bars on the "L".

Despite the water polo loss, it was still a great night for Lahainaluna sports. The Lunas baseball team upset previously undefeated and Number 2 ranked Baldwin 4-3 in extra innings.

 

Honestly, I had hoped to go through one time through the batting order and try to get each player out in the field and then head over to War Memorial Stadium for the track meet. After all, the Bears were the returning State runner-up, ranked #2 (I think) in the State, loaded with talent and the best facilities and pretty much unbeatable in the MIL. The young Lunas didn't have a chance right?

 

Boy was I ever wrong! The Lunas struck first with 2 runs in the top of the first. Of course, Baldwin came right back in the bottom of the inning but luckily, the Lunas only allowed one run. The Lunas, particularly starting pitcher Marcus Badua, was pitching a gutsy gritty game. Pitching in and out of trouble, letting his defense make plays behind him. Unlike Lunas teams of the past, this  year's edition was capable of playing pretty good defense.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As each inning went on, you could just feel the electricity build up. The Lunas small 2-1 lead was holding up. Could they do it? The big Lahaina crowd behind me certainly felt that way as they cheered words of encouragement all night. I, too, became a believer.

 

Then it unraveled. The Bears were able to tie in bottom of the 7th. We had seen this before . . . Baldwin snatching a win from the Lunas in the last minute. This time, the Lunas did not give up and give it away. They limited the Bears to the one run and they went into extra innings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At first glance, it did not look good. Bears senior, and legitimate major league prospect Branden Kaupe was coming in to close the ball game. With his 90+ mile per hour fastball, this game was over, right? Not quite.

During his warm-ups, Kaupe was very hyped up and he was throwing really hard. Sure, he was getting the pitches up there in the 90's. But the pitches were nowhere near the plate. Apparently, the Lunas' coaches caught on to this as well and instructed their players to take pitches. First, senior Dustin Ompoy led off with a double and was safe on a close play at second. Sure enough, the Lunas went up and drew walks. Then with Bronson Kaina at bat and Ompoy at third, Kaupe unleashed a wild pitch. Ompoy came racing down the line and scored. Lunas up 3-2. Kaina drew a walk as did Kaimana Ancog. Gerald Cabagua came in to pinch-run for Kaina. With JR Kenolio-Dusenberry at bat and Cabagua on third, Kaupe unleashed another wild pitch. Cabagua raced in to score and the Lunas were now up 4-2. The Lahaina fans were delirious with excitement.

In the bottom half, Kaupe redeemed himself with a lead-off triple. He eventually came in the score. Lunas now up 4-3. Senior Dustin Ompoy sealed the deal with a save and the victory was theirs.

 

After the game, I just felt so happy for the team and the community. The seniors: Ompoy, Kenolio-Dusenberry, and Badua were instrumental in this win and finally felt the taste of victory against the Bears. Needless to say, I did not get to the Stadium to shoot track n field.

For Maui News article, click here. For the article on their previous victory over King Kekaulike, click here.

For more photos, click here.