Aiea climbs back to stun Pearl city in OIA opener, 9-8

‘AIEA — Thursday’s regular season opener for ‘Aiea and Pearl City did not disappoint.

Na Ali’i overcame an early deficit and took their first lead in the bottom of the sixth inning for a 9-8 win over the Chargers at ‘Aiea District Park to begin OIA Division I-West play.

‘Aiea faced multiple four-run deficits in the game before pushing across three runs in the penultimate frame to pick up its third straight win at home dating back to last season.

“Honestly that was dog mentality,” said ‘Aiea second-year coach Brennan Alejo.

Senior right fielder Dennison Zakahi led the way in the batter’s box for Na Ali’i by getting on base in all four plate appearances, batting 3-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and three runs scored to earn HSRN’s “VIP of the Game” award, presented by Fun Factory Games.

“I just wanted to be on time and just wanted to be the next man up and do my job,” said Zakahi. “It feels good to start off this season like this.”

It was also a get-back game for ‘Aiea, who saw its 2024 season end to Pearl City in the state tournament in a 11-inning marathon contest. Na Ali’i had defeated the Chargers in the previous three meetings that year.

“We came out really wanting to beat them,” said Zakahi.

Senior Caden Schaefer came over from center field in relief of starting pitcher Dylan Wong to start the fifth inning to pick up the win in the longest pitching stretch of his career. He went three innings and allowed just two hits and two unearned runs, needing just 29 pitches.

“It was really just to hold (the score) for us, throw a couple of zeroes and if we got him the lead, it was going to be his game to win. We’re happy we left him out there. He just pushed through and he got us that win,” said Alejo.

Having graduated nine seniors, which included eight starters, for an ‘Aiea team that reached the OIA final, a lot of players for Na Ali’i stepped up to get the win over the Chargers.

Kamu Ohia-Pratt had a game-high four RBIs and Matthew Higa had a hit in his first plate appearance and scored two runs after only getting one at bat in 2024.

Aiea’s Brennan Tsue celebrates after driving in the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth inning. | Photo Credit: Brian Bautista

Brennan Tsue also drove in the go-ahead run to redeem himself after committing an error in the top of the sixth that allowed Pearl City to go ahead by two runs.

“We talked about the shoes being filled and they didn’t think too much of it, they really wanted their chance,” Alejo said. “It’s guys that could have played last year, it’s just we were senior heavy and we had a lot of depth they were waiting their turn and they got it and they made most of it.”

Jase Lorenzo was tagged with the loss for the Chargers, after being the third pitcher to take the mound in the bottom of the fourth inning when ‘Aiea took tied the game at 6-all.

Leading Pearl City at the plate was Ian Wicklund with a two-run homer in the top of the second and Jayson Au Hoy with three RBIs. Leadoff hitter Logan Honma also scored three runs despite not recording a hit as Na Ali’i gave him a base on balls on his first plate appearance before intentionally walking the USC-bound third baseman the next three times.