Koga’s 1-hitter leads Lihu‘e

LIHU‘E — Facing just three batters for a no-hitter, Lihu‘e’s Jensen Koga gave up a hit in the top of the fifth for a one-hitter in its 12-0 shutout over Kalawai, Thursday afternoon at the Protect Our Nation’s Youth baseball playoffs at Vidinha Stadium.

Playing before a good-sized crowd that offered encouragement to both teams, Lihu‘e capped its win on a 9-run third inning on three hits. Overall, Koga struck out 14 Kalawai batters, walking none and hitting one hitter.

Overall, Lihu‘e piled up its 12 runs on just six hits led by Kalen Iwai who finished 2-for-3 with a double and a single, marking three RBIs. He was also hit by a pitch in the third inning and scored once.

Erin Doi tripled, was hit by a pitch and scored three times, Koga singled and scored once, Archie Vallatini singled and scored twice and Bryce Hiranaka singled to round out the Lihu‘e offense.

Kalawai suffered the loss between B.J. Freitas Jr. and Trey Smith, Freitas taking the bulk of the loss with 11 runs to his credit and giving up three hits. He had no strikeouts or walks and hit one batter. Smith finished with a run allowed while giving up three hits and striking out two batters with no walks.

The next PONY baseball playoffs take place Tuesday in Kekaha when Kekaha hosts Hanapepe in a single game starting at 4:15 p.m.

Warren Koga, the Lihu‘e scorekeeper, said right now there are three teams each with one loss and doesn’t know when Lihu‘e’s next game will be, because the playoffs will have to clear the 1-loss logjam first.

Lihu‘e, the regular season champions, is undefeated in the playoffs.