Mililani’s Ho‘okala’s solid start puts down Pearl City

Zayne Ho‘okala scattered five hits and Mililani’s offense exploded with 10 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning for a 13-3 TKO win over Pearl City for the OIA baseball championship on Friday night at Hans L’Orange Park.

“Last night, I couldn’t even sleep thinking about this game. I didn’t really sleep until 4 o’clock,” Ho‘okala said. “I kept waking up in the middle of the night. Before we started warming up, I started feeling tired, but I trust in my team. I have confidence in them. All of my pitches felt good in the pen.”

Ho‘okala, a southpaw, allowed two earned runs, struck out five and walked none. He transferred to Mililani from Kailua in the offseason.

“Key is letting them hit, not letting them get any free bags, and everything will come together,” he said. “I like the bull’s-eye on our back. Shout out our whole team and everyone here. It wouldn’t be possible without all our supporters.”

Mililani (23-9 overall) made it back-to-back OIA titles under longtime coach Mark Hirayama, relying on stellar pitching through three games at the single-elimination playoff tournament. The Trojans were the top seed out of the OIA West, while Pearl City was the West runner-up.

“The boys have so much energy. It’s good fun. I’m happy for them. They worked hard and we battled,” Hirayama said moments after being drenched with a Gatorade shower. “Zayne is just a competitor. He wants the ball. He wants to be in a big situation. Pitching and defense win championships, and pitching-wise, it’s been our strong point.”

For more than five innings, a young Pearl City squad battled and had its chance to stun the defending champion Trojans. Instead, the Chargers will head into the Wally Yonamine Foundation/HHSAA State Championships in nine days as the second seed from the OIA.

“For us, it’s developing the culture and playing for each other, and doing the little things. Pearl City’s got a lot of young talent. They’re going to be a force for the next few years,” Hirayama said. “Hat’s off to them. Just keep working hard.”

It was another masterful demonstration of managing by Hirayama and his staff. They put their full roster of 30 players to work in interdivisional matchups, which didn’t count in the league standings. Mililani even scheduled an exhibition game with ‘Iolani over the weekend to get some action after a long stretch of Kona low rainouts.

“We need a different hero every day. Every day practice hard and be ready to go, and want to be that guy when your name is called,” Hirayama said.

Pearl City’s wondrous season resumes at the state tourney soon enough. Coming into Friday, one preseason game and two regular-season matchups with Mililani were decided by one run.

“We’ve got to cut down the errors. We have not had practice in the lights, so that hurt us with the fly balls. Things we’ll work on and get ready,” Chargers coach Duane Eldredge said. “This team is ready for what’s in front of them. I don’t think they’re afraid of what’s coming up.”