News
Walks Help Honu Evade Sharks, Stay Alive
Kyle Galdeira
11/11/08
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.
