Sharks Complete Sweep of BeachBoys

September 28, 2008 - Hawaii Winter Baseball 2 (HWB 2)
Honolulu Sharks News Release


Honolulu took advantage of 11 walks issued by Waikiki pitchers, and claimed a 7-2 victory this afternoon at Les Murakami Stadium.

With the win, the Sharks improved to 2-0 and secured the two-game sweep over the BeachBoys (0-2) to cap the opening weekend of Hawaii Winter Baseball's eighth season. Lars Davis led Honolulu with two hits and two RBIs while Kala Ka'aihue, an Atlanta Braves prospect who grew up in Kailua, Hawaii, hit an opposite-field, two-run home run over the right field fence to put the Sharks up 2-0 in the top of the first.

Waikiki got on the board in the home half of the fourth inning when Cincinnati Reds prospect Todd Frazier roped a line drive to the wall in left-center field to score James McOwen from second. Ensuing batter Roger Kieschnick hit a sharp grounder to the right side that would have tied the game, but Honolulu second baseman Bradley Emaus made a sliding grab and threw over to first in time to end the threat.

Honolulu designated hitter Michael Taylor led off the sixth inning with a line-drive home run to right field, and pushed the Sharks ahead, 3-1. After Waikiki turned a double play, Shintaro Masuda walked and advanced to second on a missed-catch error by Frazier at first base. Lars Davis took advantage and laced a double to right-center field to plate Masuda, and put Honolulu up 4-1.

The BeachBoys pushed across a run on a two-out single up the middle from Kieschnick to score McOwen and cut the deficit to 4-2.

But Honolulu got the run right back in the seventh inning despite not posting a hit. Darin Holcomb reached on a fielders choice and advanced to third on a wild pitch and passed ball. BeachBoys pitcher Phillippe-Alexandre Valiquette uncorked another wild pitch, allowing Holcomb to trot home and extend Honolulu's lead to 5-2.

Davis added his second hit of the game in the eighth inning on a RBI single to right. A Michael Mitchell sacrifice fly gave Honolulu the 7-2 lead after eight frames-an advantage the Sharks would not relinquish.

Frazier paced Waikiki with two hits on the afternoon.

Honolulu starter Satoshi Nagai (1-0) earned the victory, allowing one run on two hits through four innings, and striking out four in the process.

Waikiki's Jeremy Bleich (0-1) took the loss after surrendering two runs on two hits, and giving up four walks.

Both teams have tomorrow off, and return to action on Tuesday.



Hawaii Winter Baseball 2 Stories from September 28, 2008


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