Walks Help Honu Evade Sharks, Stay Alive
Published on November 11, 2008 under Hawaii Winter Baseball 2 (HWB 2)
Honolulu Sharks News Release
North Shore rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth thanks in part to three walks, and emerged with a 5-4 win over Honolulu this afternoon at Hans L'Orange Park.
Trailing 4-3 entering the final frame, Honu right fielder Jordan Parraz singled, stole second, and came home to tie the game on Kyle Martin's single to center. Sharks reliever Austin Chambliss (0-1) then intentionally walked Jason Castro and issued a free pass to Matt McBride to load the bases with one out. Chris Kissock came in from the bullpen and got Corey Brown to strike out, but ensuing batter Yamaico Navarro walked to force home Martin, and secure the win.
The victory was of the season-extending variety for North Shore, as the Honu pulled to within three games of West Oahu in the race for the Hawaii Winter Baseball West Division title with three games remaining. However, if the CaneFires win one of their remaining four games, or North Shore loses one of their remaining three contests, the CaneFires will claim the title and a berth in the HWB Championship Game.
Dominic Brown put the Sharks on the board in the first inning with a two-run home run off North Shore starter Yasutaka Hattori. The blast was Brown's first of the season, and the Philadelphia Phillies prospect improved his batting average to .361 thanks to a two-hit effort.
The Honu (14-18) narrowed the deficit to 3-2 in the home half of the fifth on Martin's double that scored Jon Hee, and Castro's sacrifice fly that brought home Ryan Kalish.
North Shore then knotted the score at 3-3 in the sixth on Corey Brown's fourth home run of the year, a leadoff solo shot of Honolulu reliever Josh Stinson.
But the Sharks (16-16) answered in the seventh frame as Ruben Tejada led off with a walk, came home on Bradley Emaus' RBI double to right field off reliever Jun Ho Ha, and pushed the lead to 4-3.
Matt Meyer (3-2) notched the victory for North Shore as the reliever posted a scoreless ninth inning. Hattori received a no-decision, and the Chiba Lotte Marines hurler allowed two runs on three hits through four innings.
Honolulu starter Connor Graham did not factor in the decision despite tossing four scoreless innings through which he struck out eight without allowing a hit.
The Sharks return to Hans L'Orange Park tomorrow at 3 p.m. for a meeting with West Oahu. North Shore will take on Waikiki tomorrow at 7 p.m., also at Hans L'Orange Park.
Hawaii Winter Baseball 2 Stories from November 11, 2008
- Walks Help Honu Evade Sharks, Stay Alive - Honolulu Sharks
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